May 14, 2008

Cebu's backyard hog farmers to form group for better profits

Backyard hog raisers in Cebu, Philippines are encouraged to form a group for them to sell their hogs together and fetch higher profits.

Albert Lim, Jr., president of the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NFHFI), the largest hog farmers group in the Philippines, said that by organizing themselves into a group, the backyard hog raisers can earn more profits because hog buyers and middlemen cannot take advantage of them.

The first Backyard Hog Farmers Congress was held to recognize the vital role of backyard farmers in the hog industry of the Philippines, since they constitute 70 percent of the total hog producers compared to only 30 percent of the commercial raisers.

Philippine hog raisers in last month's congress were given seminars on the modern ways to swine production and management.

Meanwhile, the Aboitiz Group Foundation Inc. (AGFI) has been giving assistance to a small-scale swine fattening program for beneficiaries in Cebu.

The foundation's programme partner is Fil-Am Foods Inc., the Aboitizfeed milling company based in Capas, Tarlac.

The foundation said that it provides the training and feeds to the beneficiary groups.

AGFI has since granted loans totaling PHP13 million (US$302,360) to organized groups for their swine-fattening activities.

AGFI said the programme also helps sustain the supply of meat products in the local market.