September 20, 2007

Inner Mongolia's Linhe seeks to raise hog output

The local government of Linhe district, located in China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has been taking steps to facilitate hog production.

Under the central government's subsidy scheme announced in August, raisers in the district will be receiving RMB725,000 in subsidy payments.

With funds from the local government, all 14,500 heads of sows in the district have also been vaccinated against swine blue ear disease. Local officials said that concerns over the debilitating disease had earlier dampened farmers' interest in making hog replenishments.

Educating farmers also formed part of the district's strategic plan to raise animal production and hygiene standards. To date, members of the staff from the local livestock bureau have conducted more than 20 training sessions, highlighting the best practices of hog farming to their audience.

In the recent years, Linhe's government has also been active in attracting hog companies to set up production bases there. Authorities there are currently studying investment plans amounting to RMB850,000.   

RMB1=US$0.1331 (Sep 20)