February 22, 2021

Philippines launches hog repopulation twin programme

The Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) had formally launched in Batangas City the national hog repopulation and "Bantay sa ASF sa Barangay" twin programme, in partnership with local government units, private sector and veterinary and hog raiser groups.

The programme is supported by combined public and private investments of P29.6 billion (US$610.4 million) and is aimed at effectively controlling African swine fever (ASF) and reviving the swine industry.

"We chose Batangas because this is where the Bantay ASF sa Barangay or BABay ASF was born, alongside the hog repopulation programme, formally called the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE)," said Agriculture Secretary William Dar during the launching of the programs on February 11 in Batangas.

The BABay ASF has initial funding of P1.5 billion (US$30.9 million), while INSPIRE has P600 million (US$12.4 million), said Undersecretary William Medrano, who oversees the DA national livestock programme.

To encourage backyard and semi-commercial raisers in ASF-free areas and 'green zones' to return to the business of swine fattening and piglet production, the DA - through the Agricultural Credit and Policy Council (ACPC) - is offering zero-interest loans, payable in three to five years. The DA-ACPC has set aside an initial budget of P500 million (US$10.3 million) for this financing programme.

Dar said the Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines are allocating P15 billion (US$309.2 million) and P12 billion (US$247.4 million), respectively, for lending to commercial raisers.

The DA through its Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) is also providing raisers insurance coverage for their hogs at P10,000 (US$206) each when culled due to ASF.

Medrano said INSPIRE aims to accelerate the repopulation and recovery of the hog industry to ensure availability, accessibility and affordability of pork and pork products.

The programme has three components: calibrated repopulation (swine livelihood enterprise); establishment of breeder multiplier farms; and intensive and modernised production.

- Department of Agriculture (Philippines)