The population of Marinduque’s native pig, “Markaduke” is being expanded as part of a government project that aims to support the native pig production livelihood of Marinduqueños. This is being implemented by Marinduque State University (MarSU) in Torrijos, Marinduque and funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD).
MarSU and DOST-PCAARRD started the initial efforts on the conservation, improvement, and profitable utilization of Markaduke in 2012. Since then, the Markaduke native pig has been known as a suitable breed for ‘lechon’ crediting its unique traits.
The project, “Enhancing the Genotypic and Phenotypic Characteristics of Markaduke Native Pig through Close Nucleus Breeding System,” started in 2025, aims to implement a close nucleus breeding system to increase frequency of genetically valuable traits such as growth rate, prolificacy, and meat quality.
The project is also intensifying its commitment to provide technical services for artificial insemination in some municipalities of Marinduque. As of today, 110 native pig raisers were identified as beneficiaries of the project from multiple barangays in Torrijos, Buenavista, and Sta. Cruz. Breeder pigs were also distributed to these beneficiaries as part of the effort to increase the Markaduke native pig population.
A year after implementation, the project has already begun delivering tangible benefits. One of the farmer-beneficiaries, Mrs. Analyza Llante of Malibago, Torrijos, is grateful for being part of the program. She shared that raising Markaduke native pigs has provided her family with a stable source of income through the sale of piglets and lechon pigs.
Mr. Harvey A. Dulay, Director of MarSU–Torrijos Campus and lead of the project said that the active project team and students’ participation are important in sustaining the native pig program in the province. He highlighted that the native pig research and development program is a key asset for the livelihood in Marinduque.
Smallhold farmers are not the only group that would benefit from the Markaduke native pig program. According to Dr. Synan S. Baguio, director of the Livestock Research Division (LRD) of DOST-PCAARRD, small- and large-scale industry players have already conveyed their interest in the project.
With the rising popularity of the native pig, Dr. Baguio wanted to preserve the authenticity of the Markaduke and cautioned the misrepresentation or “faking” of Markaduke pigs. He said that this will be the role of MarSU in terms of genetic improvement of the Markaduke pigs while continuing to strengthen engagements with the private sector.
These accomplishments were reported during a monitoring visit by the Livestock Research Division of DOST-PCAARRD at MarSU, wherein the activity gathered officials, faculty researchers, administrative staff, and students from the university.