January 22, 2007

 

Tobacco farmers in Philippines' Ilocos Sur province receive first remuneration in raising hogs

 

 

The first batch of tobacco farmers in the province of Ilocos Sur in Luzon region who ventured into hog production as an extra job to supply the requirements of a food processing plant received their first cash payments, reports the Philippine Star daily.  

 

Deputy administrator Nestor Casela of the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) has handed the individual profits to the farmers profits ranging from P1,500 (US$30.69) to P2,000 (US$40.93) per grown hog. 

 

The first batch of swine raisers who turned in their production totalling 28 hogs to the PGMA- Multiline Food Processing Plant came from barangay Malammin in San Juan town and San Pablo in Narvacan.

 

NTA is the new operator of the plant located in Mabilbila Su in Santa municipality.

 

Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson, in a memorandum of agreement, had earlier turned over the management and operation of the plant to the NTA.

 

Adminisrator Carlitos Encarnacion of the tobacco agency signed for NTA.

 

Encarnacion said more batches of hogs will come to Multiline, adding he expects deliveries will be on a weekly basis until April 23.

 

He said NTA has contracted Ilocos tobacco farmers for the PGMA-Multiline project to boost their income and in support of Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap's initiatives to make the farmers earn more this year.

 

The leaf farmers are also encouraged to engage in production of chicken, vegetables, corn, mangoes, and bananas for the food processing plant's operations, Encarnacion said.

 

Farmer Wilson Villacillo who earned P2,900 (US$59.35) from his hog production expressed satisfaction for the additional income. He said that NTA provided the piglets that he raised, as well as feeds, and veterinary assistance.