Hog farmers launch scholarship program

The National Federation of Hog Farmers, Inc. (NFHFI) will launch on Dec. 9 a scholarship program dubbed "Send a Scholar ng Farmer" at the Manila Pavilion.

Guests at the launching include former Sen. Wigberto "Ka Bobby" Tañada, former DA and DTI Undersecretary Ernesto M. Ordoñez and former UP Los Baños Chancellor Dr. Ruben Aspiras. The three have agreed to advise the orgbanization on its 2006 to 2009 program to strengtrhen and benefit industry stakeholders, backyard and commercial hog farmers.

NFHFI chairman Nemesio G. Co and president Albert R.T. Lim Jr. are one in saying: "We need such good and talented men, especially in a world where developing countries like the Philippines face increasingly strong challenges from developed countries with highly subsidized and protected agricultural sectors."

Agri-advocates Tañada, Ordoñez and Aspiras met with the officers of the hog farmers recently to discuss problems and opportunities.

The NFHFI program consists of first: scholarships to poor but deserving students who want to contribute to the development of the swine; second, farmer exchange programs within and outside the country; and third, grants to special projects that will be of direct help to backyard and commercial hog farmers. The "group of four" will make the final decisions on who will receive scholarships and grants and who will be included in the farmer exchange programs.

The hog association said they are looking at the one support of all their industry partners as they said, the impact of our would be industry wide. Lim says he "believes this will be the start of a productive and strategic partnership between the federation and such eminent advocates of Philippine agriculture. With the blessing and growing support we have been receiving, we feel it will not be long before we can help make pork available to the masses while we begin capturing global markets."

The National Federation of Hog Farmers is the largest association with 38 members across the country. However, 80 percent of the country hog farmers are backyard farmers.