PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the inauguration of the first world-class controlled-climate Magnolia poultry mega farm in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur, on Oct. 12
Together with the President, San Miguel Corporation CEO Ramon S. Ang unveiled the marker of the Davao Multi-Tier Broiler Farm, the first among the 12 poultry megafarm projects set to be established nationwide.
The megafarm project of San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI) aims to address food insecurity and meet the demands of the growing population as this poultry farm is anticipated to produce 80 million birds annually, that is about 200 million kilos when weighed live.
The poultry features climate control, to achieve the right temperature, humidity, and air quality for the flock necessary for poultry rearing to assure quality produce.
The farm is assured to produce antibiotic residue-free as it is implementing the Anti-Microbial Policy for a 100% antibiotic-free operation, controlling all aspects of the operation to prevent diseases from affecting the flock.
Marcos recognized that this facility will respond to the population density and geopolitical situation and it shows that the country itself is sufficient to feed its people.
“This is the way forward. We can no longer depend on the informal production of food in the way that we have depended on for a very long time. This facility such as this is showing the way how to do it. We must industrialize our agriculture,”
The president acknowledged the efforts made by SMC stressing that it is not enough to say the supply is sufficient and that the engagement to the local community remains absolute in productivity.
“The schemes that SMC has put into place, for you to share eventually also bring in partners, more of the local community, cooperatives, farmers association, bring them all together so they can partake in the plan economically,” Marcos added.
Apart from producing standard products for consumers, it will also help the local economy prosper as it aims to generate about 1,000 employment opportunities to prioritize individuals in the community and its neighboring areas. Ang said they are engaging with the local farmers’ association comprising 900 families in the local municipality of Hagonoy.
The project will provide long-term security of domestic poultry supply in the country, aligned with the vision of the Marcos Jr. administration outlined in the 2022 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) List of Priority Projects specifically under Food Security-Related Activities.
