Agusan Norte Farmers’ Cooperative Expands Into Hog Raising With P2-M DA Support

AGRI-NEWS | Farming Posted on 2026-08-15 02:28:48

BUTUAN CITY — A farmers’ cooperative in Remedios T. Romualdez (RTR), Agusan del Norte, is expanding its livelihood portfolio into swine production after receiving PHP2 million in government assistance from the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The Balang-balang Banana Farmers Agriculture Cooperative (BABAFAC) is adding hog raising to its existing banana chips and egg production ventures, strengthening its efforts to create more income opportunities for its members.

The cooperative has been receiving assistance from DA-Caraga through the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) Program since 2024.

BABAFAC Chair Guillermo Gumatay said the cooperative initially received support for banana production, including fertilizers, farm implements and equipment for processing banana chips.

“The first intervention we received from DA-SAAD in 2024 was for our banana production,” Gumatay said Friday.

The cooperative later expanded into egg production during the same year after receiving 192 ready-to-lay hens, feeds and other production inputs through the program.

Gumatay said the government interventions have significantly helped the cooperative’s 30 members develop additional sources of income. Its banana chips and egg products are now being sold not only within RTR but also in other parts of Agusan del Norte.

With the new assistance, BABAFAC is now venturing into swine production, which the cooperative considers a promising enterprise because of the continuing demand for pork.

“We see hog production as a profitable business given the strong demand for pork in markets,” Gumatay said.

On Thursday, DA-Caraga Executive Director Ricardo Oñate Jr. formally turned over the PHP2 million assistance to the local government of RTR for the cooperative’s swine production enterprise.

The funding was provided under the Livestock Economic Enterprise Development (LEED) Program, aimed at strengthening livestock-based livelihood opportunities and supporting community enterprises.

DA-Caraga described the new venture as another milestone in BABAFAC’s development, as the cooperative evolves from a group primarily engaged in crop production into a more diversified community-based enterprise.

Although most of its members have experience in banana farming and egg production, swine raising represents a new area of business for BABAFAC.

Gumatay said the cooperative’s officers and members are prepared to learn, adapt and work together to make the new enterprise successful.

“We are grateful to the government, especially the DA, for the continuing guidance and support that made this opportunity possible,” he said.

The cooperative’s diversification reflects how government assistance, when combined with organized farmers and strong community participation, can help rural organizations move beyond traditional production and build multiple, sustainable sources of livelihood.

For BABAFAC, the new swine enterprise is not simply another business venture—it is another step toward creating stronger economic opportunities for its members and building a more resilient farmers’ cooperative.

NPO NEWS TEAM | PNA-PR

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