September 1, 2008

Feed subsidies will be made available to hog farmers starting next month, according to Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap.

Without disclosing the subsidy amount, Yap said the subsidy programme will help to grow hogs by at least another 10-15 kilogrammes to increase output from the national average of 77 kilogrammes.

Animal Industry director Davinio Catbagan said the government would carry out the subsidy programme in Central Luzon and Calabarzon to assist backyard raisers to acquire healthy piglets and feeds.

Government assistance includes rehabilitation packages for the livestock sector, animal health programmes, stock dispersal programme and laboratory services. Yap has told the Bureau of Animal Industry and the National Meat Inspection to finalise plans of the setting up of laboratories in General Santos City and Polomolok in South Cotabato.

Catbagan said a broad vaccination programme against emerging swine diseases on backyard population in Central Luzon, worth PHP 30 million (US$646,500), is being pursued.

The Philippines' livestock sector declined 3.3 percent in the first half of 2008, with hog production falling 4.3 percent due to a drop in slaughter count and outbreaks of swine diseases. However, the sector is expected to make a comeback in the fourth quarter when demand may soar due to Christmas holidays.