THE DEPARTMENT of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development partnered with the Marinduque State College to establish a semen laboratory for native pigs.

DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said the project seeks to sustain the genetic improvement of the Markaduke native pigs.

It will also ensure the supply of good quality semen for the institutional nucleus herd as well as for the private adopters of these pigs.

“The laboratory was established under the Markaduke Native Pig R&D projects, which are under the DOST-NICER program,” De la Peña said.

“To date, the MSC nucleus herd has a population of 90 sows and 9 boars, which are of the genetically improved Markaduke pigs,” he added.

Half of the sows produced 10 or more piglets per litter.

The DOST chief noted that 40 sows have been distributed to farmers within the community to start the testing of these pigs’ performance in the field.

“This inventory of breeders coupled with their significantly improved prolificacy is expected to jumpstart the multiplication and eventual commercialization of the Markaduke pig,” De la Peña said.

He added that selection via DNA marker has started “to hasten the improvement of the productivity and meat quality of the Markaduke pig.”