GUISAD, Baguio City — To support the swift recovery of hog-raisers who had been adversely affected by the Asian swine fever (ASF) recently, the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) turned over ₱19.5 million worth of equipment to 10 farmer cooperatives and associations (FCAs) under the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (Inspire) projects in the region.

According to DA-CAR regional technical director for research and regulations Dr. Arlene Sagayo, the equipment distributed to the swine farmers included nine hog feeders, four specialized hog-hauling vehicles, 14 meat processing equipment and 10 cold storage.

"The hauling trucks cost ₱13.28 million and were turned over to the following FCAs: Abra Diocesan and Employees Multipurpose Cooperative (Adempco), Tabano Omang Livelihood Project Organization, Balili Backyard Hog Fattening Association of Mankayan and Dumap-ay Farmers Organization," Sagayo said.

She added that while the trucks were primarily entrusted to these cooperatives, other organizations can request the use of the trucks as well.

Meat processing equipment and cold storage worth around ₱2.96 million and ₱2.28 million, respectively, were also given to the Sagubo Multipurpose Cooperative, Taloy Sur Integrated Farming Producers' Association, Bakir Vegetable and Corn Farmers Association, Tadian Farmers, Fisherfolks and Irrigators Association, Dumap-ay Farmers Organization, and Abra Mountain Credit Cooperative.

The Kapangan Overseas Filipino Worker Returnees Organization also received nine hog feeders worth around ₱106,000.

"Our activity today is not only for the turnover of these (machinery) and other equipment but also to show our partnership," Dr. Sagayo stressed.

"Our dream is to strengthen the livestock industry in the Cordillera. Let us sustain the supply of swine in our region because that is one of the purposes of the Inspire project," she concluded.