May 5, 2004

Philippines DA Sets Aside US$9 Million For Hog Raising Program
 

In order to finance a restocking program for the benefit of thousands of backyard hog raisers in the country, the Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) is setting aside P500 million (US$8.9 million).

Agriculture Secretary Luisito Lorenzo said the assistance came as pork supply in the country dropped to an all time low this year.

The decrease in pork supply had also reduced the farmers' income for the first quarter of the year.

Lorenzo stated that the program will be implemented in June, and will involve the dispersal of breeding stock to backyard farmers.

The program forms part of a scheme wherein the Quedan and Rural Credit Corporation (Quedancor) extends each participating hog raiser up to P25,000 in loan, for the purchase of pigs and feeds as well as medicinal drugs.

"The farmers' equity would be his pigpen labor. The glits must be sourced from DA-accredited swine breeder farms," he added.