The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Regional Field Office 3 (RFO-3) sealed a partnership with the Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU), the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), and the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), to improve the quality of fresh and processed meats in Pampanga and nearby provinces.
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed on June 14, 2022 mandates the management and operationalization of the Meat Cutting Plant and Cold Storage Warehouse situated inside PSAU.
Under the MOA, DA-RFO 3, BAI, NMIS and PSAU will serve as the project management team that will oversee and monitor operations of the facilities. The agreement also states that farmers’ cooperatives and associations will manage the day-to-day operations of the center in coordination with PSAU.
“I always believe that partnering with the state universities and colleges (SUCs) will be a key strategy for DA,” Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said.
The P90-million “AAA” Meat Cutting Plant and Cold Storage Warehouse was funded under the Bayanihan II program.
The facilities will help in ensuring food availability, affordability, and accessibility of pork and other meat products. It will also serve as a learning/training facility for students taking up agriculture courses, and farmers involved in meat production and processing.
According to the agri chief, the Bayanihan project is a good opportunity to develop and level-up agricultural infrastructures, adding that the plant facility is an important investment in enhancing the livestock industry.
“Marami nang mga improvements na isinagawa ang DA thru RFOs para sa livestock industry, dahil na rin sa African Swine Fever (ASF). We have the chance now to prevent similar challenges,” Secretary Dar said.
The facility will also be used for the development of ASF vaccines.
During the site visit, the agri chief challenged the SUCs to upscale their technologies and see to it that it will create a great impact in their respective localities.
“Do not just be excellent, the relevance of your research and extension must be felt by our farmers and fishers,” Secretary Dar said. ### (Kristel Joyce Merle, DA-AFID)
