The staff from the Livestock Program, along with four farmers’ cooperatives and associations (FCAs) of Benguet namely Balili Backyard Hog Fattening Association, Taloy Sur Integrated Farming Practitioners Association, Seeds and Fruits Multi-Purpose Cooperative, accompanied by former Regulatory Division Chief Ruben A. Dulagan, conducted a benchmarking activity on the operations and facilities of the Feedmill production of the Abra Diocesan Teachers and Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (ADTEMPCO), and the operating INSPIRE projects in Abra on March 14-15, 2024.
The visit allows the FCAs from Benguet to see and observe the ongoing production of feeds by ADTEMPCO, wherein their finished goods are also being utilized in their INSPIRE project.
This provides the visiting INSPIRE team with references for their INSPIRE project as well, enabling them to gain significant insights that would contribute to the overall development and enhancement of strategies to attain their project goals.
During the visit, ADTEMPCO demonstrated the operation of the feed conveyor, showcasing the process from the start of operation until it produces mashed layer 1 feeds, which are bagged in 50-kilogram sacks. Meanwhile, Adela B. Bose, Business Development Services Head, guided the FCAs by engaging them and providing brief information on the process and products of their feedmill production. She also addressed the queries of the FCAs and furnished them with a copy of their feed formulation as a basis for their own projects.
Located in Peñarrubia, Abra, the Feedmill Production is now in the process of renewing its License to Operate (LTO) with the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).
On the second day, the FCAs visited the DOST-CAR PSTC-Abra, engaging in a fruitful discussion on relevant topics with Provincial S&T Director Engr. Ralf B. Sapi-il regarding their designed and constructed Biogas Digester System located at Bolbolo, Pilar, Abra.
Since the INSPIRE program includes a package of Biogas, they discussed how it will address environmental issues concerning accumulated hog wastes and serve as an alternative energy source.
The FCAs also visited the INSPIRE project of ADTEMPCO located at Tayum, Abra, where they observed the facility and noted some variations made by the association in the design of the facility, including their office area. Additionally, they engaged in a meaningful discussion with the Coop Engineer Girlie Mapalad, and oversaw the management of the farm.
The FCAs concluded the benchmarking activity with an inspection of the ongoing construction of the INSPIRE project of Cosili West Farmers’ Association at Bangued, Abra. They observed that housing designs in 2023 differed from those in 2022. According to the contractor of the facility, the target completion date is April 20, 2024. As of the visit, they are already completing the installation of the roofing. By Flor Gelyn Cariño
