VITARICH Corporation, the pioneering agribusiness in poultry and feeds production in the country, in partnership with Davao South Feedmill Plant (DSFP) had inaugurated the multi-million aqua feed mill plant located in Bunawan, Davao City, on December 10.
The plant is part of their aggressive expansion project to address the growing demand of aqua products in the market.
Taking advantage of the thriving agriculture business in country because of President Rodrigo Duterte’s assertion to support local produce, Vitarich had seized the opportunity by further investing on it, given that the government thrust is focused on stepping up programs to assist agribusiness firms.
The blessing was attended by the company’s top officials including President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ricardo Manuel Sarmiento, National Feed Sales Manager Guillermo Miralles, Chairman Jose Vicente Bengzon, Visayas and Mindanao Feed Mill Plant Manager Edilberto Manuel and its employees.
DSFP CEO Dian Mae Fernandez, Plant Manager Roy Kian, Board of Directors Nelson Lindsay and Department of Agriculture undersecretary lawyer Francisco Villano Jr. were also present during the event.
Kian said the feed mill has a capacity of four tons per hour and situated in a 3,002 square meters.
Since it started operating last October 27, they have already produced 30,000 bags per month.
This is seen to give services and excellent aqua products that will provide solution to the problems of aqua farmers in the Davao region and the neighboring provinces.
For now, they are operating for 16 hours a day but due to the increasing demand of aqua feeds, they are targeting to operate 24 hours.
Before it was built, Vitarich supply used to come from Iloilo City which is quite costly because it required shipping fees and travel expense.
Another disadvantage they have cited in relation to this is the inevitable delay in delivery when there is a bad weather forecast.
Mirrales mentioned that oftentimes, the sales department is complaining about insufficient supply of feeds.
With this newly-operated feed mill plant, the demand of the clients is expected to be met efficiently and sustainably.
Mirrales also added that they have improved their aqua product into extruded sinker that has a holding time and does not dissolve immediately and when it was given to the fishes, it is compact, efficient and stable.
Their product, the extruded feeds is specifically for milkfish.
The company is committed to produce enough food for the country as they challenge themselves to yield affordable foods for Filipinos and help in securing food supply in the country.
Vitarich, which was established by brothers Feliciano, Lorenzo and Pablo Sarmiento in 1950, is involved in the formulation, production, storage, and marketing of various animal and aqua feeds.