Agusan del norte: The Balang-balang Banana Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (BABAFAC) in Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte, has embraced a strategic shift by entering the swine farming sector, facilitated by a PHP2 million grant from the government.

According to Philippines News Agency, since 2024, BABAFAC has been supported by the Department of Agriculture (DA) - Caraga through the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program. The initial assistance focused on enhancing banana production, providing cooperative members with essential resources like fertilizers and equipment for banana chips processing.

BABAFAC Chair Guillermo Gumatay highlighted that the cooperative expanded into egg production in the same year, benefiting from DA-SAAD's provision of 192 ready-to-lay hens and necessary supplies. Gumatay emphasized the cooperative's successful market reach, extending beyond their town to other parts of the province.

This year, BABAFAC is set to diversify further with the introduction of swine production. Gumatay noted the profitable prospects of hog farming owing to the strong market demand for pork. On Thursday, DA-Caraga Executive Director Ricardo O±ate Jr. formally handed over the PHP2 million funding to the local government of RTR to support BABAFAC's new venture.

The funding is part of the Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED) Program. DA-Caraga acknowledged the cooperative's evolution from a crop-focused group to a multifaceted community-based enterprise. Despite their inexperience in swine production, BABAFAC members are eager to expand their livelihood opportunities.

Gumatay expressed gratitude for the government's ongoing support and guidance, which has been instrumental in enabling this new business opportunity for the cooperative.