Small farmer swine repopulation - centro de investigacion y mejoramiento de la produccion animal (CIMPA)

The Asociacion para el Desarrollo will administer the project with technical assistance from Heiffer Project International (HPI). The first tranche of funds will be used to construct a breeding facility at the Centro de Investigacion y Mejoramiento de la Produccion Animal (CIMPA) in Santiago and to purchase feed for 100 sows provided by HPI. Subsequent funding will be used to construct another facility and to purchase feed for 50 sows at the Granja de Reproduccion Animal y Meyormiento Agricola (GRAMA) at Moca and to provide training for farmers. During the first year, CIMPA and Grama will sell 50 and 30 breeding swine, respectively, to 80 small- and medium-sized farmer organizations at a cost of 75-100 DOP per animal. After one year, these organizations will, in turn, be required to return one female swine for each animal received in order to permit restocking and continued distribution. CIMPA and GRAMA will fatten and sell males and culled females commercially. The proceeds from both commercial sales and sales to farmer organizations will be used to offset project operational expenses. All 80 groups will be trained at CIMPA in swine production and management, animal health, and in organizational and financial management. The Secretariat of Agriculture and the Peace Corps will also provide extension personnel to assist farmer organizations in swine production activities. The Dominican Development Foundation will provide these organizations with credit to purchase swine and feed and to upgrade facilities. HPI will provide CIMPA with short-term technical assistance.