May 27, 2024

 

Philippines allocates US$5.1 million to boost swine production in Cordillera

Philippines' Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated PHP 300 million (US$5.1 million) to boost swine production in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) under the country's the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) programme, aimed at producing at least 16,800 swine per season, Philippine News Agency reported.

 

Dr Kevin Luna, senior agriculturist for the livestock programme at the Department of Agriculture-CAR, said INSPIRE aims to address the swine supply in the region, especially after some swine farmers were affected by African swine fever (ASF).

 

DA-CAR has identified at least 30 qualified Farmer Cooperative Associations (FCAs), each allotted PHP 5.5 million (US$94,500) for the construction of a 300-head capacity swine pen and the purchase of piglets, feeds, and other inputs.

 

A total of PHP 165 million (US$2.8 million) was allocated for the first batch, while PHP 135 million (US$2.3 million) was set aside for the second batch, with 26 FCA beneficiaries spread across all six provinces of the region.

 

Dr Luna said the goal is for all the INSPIRE projects to reach their maximum load capacity. If they do, the 56 INSPIRE projects will provide an additional supply of at least 16,000 heads.

 

He said this is the first time they are having commercial swine farms in the region for CAR's consumption, and this project will be a significant boost to pork sufficiency.

 

The region has been largely reliant on supply from other regions, supplemented by backyard growers from the villages of the Cordillera.

 

Before the ASF infestation, at least 300 swine were butchered daily at the Baguio city abattoir to meet the city's consumption. This dropped to 150 during the pandemic due to a lack of supply and demand, because of the high pork prices.

 

Currently, about 200 swine are butchered at the city's abattoir per day.

 

Based on Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, a Cordilleran consumes 15 kg of pork per year, which is the highest in the nation, with other regions recording only about 12 to 13 kg.

 

To date, of the 30 first FCAs, 22 have been completed, with 14 having been loaded with pigs and producing for the meat requirement.

 

At least eight are on the first cycle, four on the second cycle, and two are on their third cycle. A cycle refers to the period when a piglet is raised until it reaches maturity, ready to be sold.

 

Luna said the supply of piglets remains the primary challenge for FCAs. To address this, the FCAs resorted to buying piglets produced by their members, which were not sufficient to meet the required heads.

 

He added that the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) had been commissioned to start the PHP 20 million (US$343,000) worth of INSPIRE's Artificial Insemination (AI) in villages project, piloted in the provinces of Apayao, Mountain Province, and Ifugao.

 

The region is improving in terms of pork supply, especially with backyard growers resuming their swine raising activities.

 

However, the threat of ASF remains, with 12 cases still monitored in the region: seven in Abra, two in Apayao, and three in Benguet. The region remains active in eradicating ASF.

 

From 2020 to 2022, at least 5,907 swine were culled due to ASF, affecting 1,182 farmers in the region. The government spent at least PHP 30 million (US$515,000) for indemnification of the culled animals to prevent further spread of ASF.

 

Additionally, the government spent at least PHP 74 million (US$1.2 million) on sentinel swine, veterinary drugs and biologics, ASF rapid test kits, disinfectants, and other veterinary supplies in support of sentinelling. Sentinel swine are provided several months after culling to monitor for ASF resurgence.

 

-      Philippine News Agency