March 12, 2024

Philippines' agriculture agency commits to quickly get hog industry back on feet following ASF

The Philippines' hog industry will receive help from the country's Department of Agriculture (DA) to speed up its recovery from the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak, the DA said early this month.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. expressed the agency's "full" commitment to combat ASF and get the industry back on its feet, Daily Tribune reported. This would be done through stronger surveillance and monitoring for rapid detection and response to new ASF cases.

"Our immediate focus involves reinforcing biosecurity measures, enhancing quarantine protocols, and implementing robust sanitation practices in hog farms nationwide to prevent further outbreaks," Laurel Jr. said.

According to data, the Philippines' swine inventory has been declining since 2021. 2020 was when the swine industry achieved a record-high year-end inventory of 12.8 million heads of pigs. That figure then fell to 9.94 million in 2021 and later, 9.43 million in 2022.

Most of the reduction came from smallholders, the DA pointed out. Once at 9.44 million in 2020, the inventory of smallholders fell to 7.18 million in 2022.

By the end of September last year, the total inventory dropped to 9.86 million heads from 10.1 million heads in the same period in 2022, the DA highlighted.

The agency is working with scientific institutions and industry experts to expedite the creation of "innovative solutions for ASF management and eventual eradication," Laurel Jr. said.

"We understand the financial strain on our farmers and we're committed to providing financial assistance and support programmes," he said. "Additionally, extensive public awareness campaigns is a priority to educate farmers, industry stakeholders and the public about preventive measures against ASF. Knowledge is a powerful tool, and through awareness, we aim to empower everyone to contribute to the eradication of ASF."

- Daily Tribune