The mega farm

The idiom “Put your money where your mouth is” best describes the mega poultry farm that diversified conglomerate, San Miguel Corporation, is putting up, not only as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) but more importantly, a step towards boosting food security.

This is a good story to tell and share, particularly at this time when our food security is always on the edge with the prices of basic commodities appearing to be on a neverending uphill climb, plus the geo-political tensions.

Yes, Virginia, the Philippines, based on the 2020 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World Report, recorded the most number of food insecure people in Southeast Asia in 2017 to 2019, with 59 million Filipinos suffering from moderate to severe lack of consistent access to food.

Sometime in October, San Miguel launched its first mega poultry in the third-class municipality of Hagonoy, not in Bulacan, but in Davao del Sur. This is the first of the 12 planned mega farms to be constructed in strategic locations in the countryside.

From what I’ve heard along the corridors San Miguel Avenue in Mandaluyong, the 11 others will be constructed in Pangasinan, Bataan, Quezon, Camarines Sur, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, and down Pagadian, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Maguindanao, and one in the south of Cebu.

These sites were carefully chosen with the farm’s focus on the production of dressed chickens in order to minimize impact on small growers. Also, each structure is strategically located near the San Miguel Foods' poultry processing facility to minimize the risks to the chicken's health and quality after they leave the farm.

It, too, complements San Miguel Foods' existing nationwide contract growing program and provides additional livelihood and business opportunities for local farmers.

For instance, the farm in Hagonoy, Davao Del Sur alone will create approximately 1,000 direct and indirect jobs, benefiting primarily the people in nearby communities. There is also a substantial opportunity for local corn and cassava farmers to directly supply raw materials for chicken feed production.

These mega poultry farms are so-designed to “revolutionize poultry production” in the country by ensuring a more stable and cost-competitive chicken supply. The farm's design promotes healthy chicken growth, eliminating the need for antibiotics.

This is possible as the farm incorporates controlled climate technology, stringent biosecurity measures, an automated feeding and watering system, air quality monitoring, and automated harvesting to minimize human contact and ensure healthy chickens.

And more importantly, the farm integrates rainwater harvesting and a comprehensive waste management system. Specifically, the bird manure will be utilized as fertilizer for cultivating corn and cassava, essential raw materials in the production of chicken feeds.

While this project is a component of San Miguel’s CSR as well as its environment, social and governance protocol, in my books, this is a significant step towards bolstering the country's food security.

Talkback to me at sionil731@ gmail.com