The Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Credit Policy Council (DA-ACPC), in partnership with the Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) and National Livestock Program (NLP), facilitated the Launching of Agri-Negosyo (ANYO) SWINE R3 Program and Calibrated Swine Repopulation for Green Zones, led by DA Secretary William Dar on September 10, 2021.
The ANYO Loan Facility for Swine Repopulation, Rehabilitation and Recovery (ANYO Swine R3) Program is a special window under the Agri-Negosyo credit facility. The said special window was developed in consultation with the DA-BAI and NLP to support the government’s efforts in repopulation, rehabilitation and recovery of the local swine industry, and provides zero-interest, non-collateralized loans to eligible swine backyard raisers, semi-commercial raisers, and farmers cooperatives/associations, and micro and small enterprises (MSEs).
During the activity, Secretary Dar signed and approved an additional Php 300 million credit fund allocation for the program for implementation in the Green Zones, or ASF-free areas as declared by the DA, particularly Regions 4-B, 6, 7 and 9.
In his keynote speech, the Secretary said, “Itong nilaan ng ACPC na additional P300 million for the Green Zones recovery and repopulation is very important to support, enhance and accelerate the repopulation program for the swine industry.”
Secretary Dar emphasized, “Gagawin ng DA family ang lahat para maibsan ang problema ng ASF. Our priority for now is the repopulation program.” He also added, “According to reports and continuous monitoring from the field, ang farmgate prices ng karne ay bumababa na rin. Equilibrium will be found and there will be significant strides in the industry with all the efforts of government, support of Congress and other stakeholders, including the private sector commercial swine raisers.”
Under the ANYO SWINE R3, eligible borrowers can use the loan for their working capital requirements for production, processing, marketing; acquisition of machinery or equipment; and/or construction of modern technology facilities for their swine raising venture.
During her message, ACPC Executive Director Jocelyn Alma R. Badiola explained, “Ang ANYO SWINE R3 ay dinisenyo sa tulong ng National Livestock Program o NLP at Bureau of Animal Industry o BAI, para sa mga eligible na swine backyard raisers, semi-commercial raisers, at micro and small enterprises (MSEs). Inaasahan namin na ang programang ito ay makakatulong sa pag-revitalize o pagpapasigla muli ng swine industry.”
She added, “Sa panahon ng recovery na ito, kasama ang ANYO Swine R3 sa pagtulong sa mga naghahanap ng kapital para sa kanilang swine raising projects. Sa inaprubahan na karagdagang pondo na P300 milyon, hanggang isang libong swine raisers ang maaari naming matulungan sa mga green zone areas sa Regions 4-B, 6, 7 at 9.”
NLP Director Ruth Miclat-Sonaco, explained the Calibrated Repopulation for Green Zones. “Calibrated repopulation will be executed through clustering and consolidation. The cluster shall adapt modern facilities showcasing climate controlled system and minimum biosecure facilities for disease resilience following the requirements to ensure freedom from ASF. This approach would facilitate production support services, technical support, and monitoring would be more organized.” She added that, “marketing would also be easier and with the significant volume of production, a cluster can do value addition to raise profits.”
Also present during the program were Hon. Teodorico Haresco, Jr. of the 2nd District of Aklan, Hon. Lord Allan Velasco, House Speaker and Representative of the Lone District of Marinduque, OIC-Undersecretary Leo Sebastian, RED Antonio Gerundio of Region 4-B, RED Remelyn Recoter of Region 6, RED Salvador Diputado of Region 7, RED Rad Donn Cedeño of Region 9, NLP Director Ruth Miclat-Sonaco, and DA-BAI OIC-Director Reildrin Morales.
Hon. Teodorico Haresco congratulated DA Secretary Dar and the officials of the DA family for putting together finance, production and marketing initiatives for the rehabilitation of the swine industry. “This P300 million fund for the Green Zone Swine Repopulation Program is innovative. The provision of additional financial resources for repopulation of the swine industry particularly in the green zones will definitely contribute in making the swine industry back in shape. In addition, putting up strategic hubs and ports will make prices of inputs to swine production sustainable in the long run.”
For his part, House Speaker Hon. Lord Allan Velasco expressed gratitude to the DA for leading the program and expressed support for programs that will help uplift local swine raisers. “Napakaganda ng mga programa sapagkat magiging malaking tulong ito para sa ating mga kababayan na gustong subukan ang pag-aalaga at pagpapalaki ng mga baboy bilang pangkabuhayan. Kalaunan ay inaasahan natin na mapaparami ang mga ito nang sa gayon ay makatulong bilang sagot sa ating problema sa food security at tumataas na presyo ng karne sa bansa.” The program was also attended by the Regional Executive DIrectors and officers of DA-RFO 4-B, 6, 7 and 8, Municipal Agriculture Offices and LGUs of these regions, and various swine raisers’ organizations, cooperatives and associations.
