Kidapawan City, the capital of North Cotabato, is taking bold steps in corporate governance through two pioneering agricultural programs aimed at transforming the local livestock industry and enhancing the livelihood of farmers. On September 26, the City Council approved two resolutions endorsing the Halal Beef Production Program and the Community Hogstel Program, both designed to position the city as a leading agri-entrepreneurial hub.
The initiatives, endorsed by Mayor Paolo Evangelista and presented by an expert to the Sangguniang Panglunsod, target key sectors of the agricultural community affected by challenges such as the African Swine Fever (ASF). Kidapawan City Vice Mayor Melvin Lamata Jr. and the City Council swiftly acted to support these programs, reflecting the city’s commitment to innovative governance.
The Halal Beef Production Program will focus on the fattening of 1,000 heads of young cattle, with slaughtering to take place in a Halal Certified Abattoir supported by the National Livestock Program (NLP) of the Department of Agriculture (DA). Additionally, the city plans to procure 500 heifers annually over the next five years as part of a breeding initiative, with the offspring distributed to local farmers for further fattening or breeding. A vital component of this program is the propagation of sorghum and other grains for feed production, ensuring a sustainable food supply for livestock.
Meanwhile, the Community Hogstel Program aims to organize hog farmers into cooperative groups or associations to operate a Hog Breeding, Growing, and Processing complex. This initiative includes the construction of a feed mill utilizing locally grown materials and the development of a bio-secure facility to safeguard against ASF, with support from the DA-NLP. By offering affected farmers the opportunity to restart hog production in a secure environment, the program fosters resilience and recovery within the agricultural sector.
Both programs reflect Kidapawan’s forward-thinking approach to agricultural development. The city’s leaders are focused on creating sustainable income opportunities for local farmers while addressing the looming shortage of meat supply across the country. The initiative aligns with the growing emphasis on corporate governance in the public sector, with the city serving as a model for innovation and progressive leadership.
With these projects, Kidapawan City is set to become a significant player in the national halal beef market and an example of agri-entrepreneurship, marking a new era of economic growth and agricultural sustainability in North Cotabato.
