DA offers feed subsidies to hog farmers

The Department of Agriculture is stepping up the implementation of measures for the hog industry to help the sector recover from a growth slump in the first semester.

In line with the government’s goal to energize the farm sector and ensure food sufficiency, the agency is now providing feed subsidies to hog farmers as well as undergoing a stock dispersal program.

The feed subsidy program aims to grow hogs by at least an additional 10 kilos to 15 kilos to increase output from the national average of only 77 kilograms.

With the government’s continued investments in DA programs to boost productivity, the agriculture sector was able to expand by 4.7 percent in the first semester of 2008 as against 3.74 percent in the same period last year.  

In the first semester of 2008, the livestock sub-sector contracted 3.33 percent growth but the hog production suffered a decline of 4.33 percent during this same period owing to a drop in the number of animals slaughtered in abattoirs as result of swine diseases outbreak that had negatively affected production in Central Luzon.

And as part of its measures to assist the hog growers, the Department of Agriculture has ordered the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the National Meat Inspection Service to finalize plans to complement the meat inspection laboratories that were set up in General Santos City and Polomolok in South Cotabato.

The subsidy program for the hog industry will be carried out in Central Luzon and Calabarzon areas composed of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon provinces, which will involve assisting backyard raisers, acquire healthy piglets and their required animal feeds.

The rehabilitation package will also include the livestock sector’s animal health programs and laboratory services.

DA is now undertaking a massive vaccination program worth P30 million, against possible Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PPRS) and other emerging swine diseases focusing on backyard population in Central Luzon, wherein bulk of hog raising production are concentrated.

BAI noted that despite these temporary setbacks, there is still a bright future that lies ahead for the Philippine hog industry as the Philippines will soon ship pork cuts to Singapore after complying with the island-state’s stringent requirements, including an assurance that these pork items are free from banned drugs and veterinary drug residues. —Rhia de Pablo