December 18, 2019

 

China's small swine farmers encouraged to resume production

 

An agriculture ministry official said China is luring small farmers to resumeswine production to help boost pork supplies and replenish output, reported Reuters.

 

According to a report from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China's swine herd is 40% smaller compared to 2018as the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak continues to spread throughout the country.

 

While large producers have expanded to supplement dwindling swine stocks in the country, smaller swine farmers are concerned about resuming production because of the ongoing ASF risk and lack of funds. 

 

Wang Junxun, an official at the ministry's Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Bureau said China still leans strongly on its small swine farms. 50% of China's pork comes from these farms, which raise 500 swine annuallyon average.

 

He said the government plans to assist smaller swine farms to quickly recover swine production, which included agreements with bigger corporate swine farmers and local governments to lend their assistance to smaller swine farmers.In addition, the governmentis calling on big companies to give financial and technical help to these small swine farmers on biosecurity systems.

 

Many small farmers have been left with large debts after culling their swine herds because of ASF.

 

According to a report from Rabobank in November 2019, half of all small swine farmers in China will leave the swine industry.

 

Small swine farmers have a slight advantage over larger players as it is easier for them to procure land for swine farming, especially in areas where larger players will generate a larger environmental impact from their intensive operations.

 

Wang said it is a win-win situation if small farmers work together with large scale swine farmers. The government will provide assistance to small farmers to partner with their large scale counterparts to expand and obtain financial loans from the bank.

 

Wang added that China is exploring methods to encourage biosecurity measures from large swine corporations to the small farms to boost the latter's confidence in resuming swine production. 

 

-  Reuters