ASF-free swine raising launched
‘We will repopulate our hog sector through these swine technology centers. We have put in place biosecurity measures that use a standard shelter design for hogs to keep small farms away from ASF’
Daily Tribune‘We will repopulate our hog sector through these swine technology centers. We have put in place biosecurity measures that use a standard shelter design for hogs to keep small farms away from ASF’
Agriculture Undersecretary Deogracias Victor Savellano (third from left) leads the launch of biosecure Swine Multiplier Techno-Demo Farm in Natividad, Pangasinan. | Photograph courtesy of Department of Agriculture
The first bio secure swine multiplier technology-demonstration farm has been recently launched in Ilocos Region as part of the Marcos administration's program to fight African swine fever, or ASF, raise swine production and give livelihood to small farmers.
Agriculture Undersecretary Deogracias Victor Savellano graced last 24 October the Swine Multiplier and Technology Demonstration, or SMTD, farm in Natividad, Pangasinan.
"We will repopulate our hog sector through these swine technology centers. We have put in place biosecurity measures that use a standard shelter design for hogs to keep small farms away from ASF," Savellano said.
The technology centers will raise swine with good genetics and they will be disseminated to far-flung provinces.
Through farmers' trainings on biosecurity measures, the Philippines will be able to raise hog inventory and pork supply, Savellano said.
Breeders provided
"The facility will provide support to local raisers by making available breeders and breeding materials and by producing adequate and quality stocks to supply DA and other agencies' needs for sustainability in production," he said.
A budget of P40 million has been allocated for four SMTDs in Ilocos region or P10 million per SMTD that included provision for tunnel vent type facility and 30 breeder sows and feeds.
The Natividad facility is the first. Three others will be launched within the year. The sites will be in Manaoag, Pangasinan and Candon and Vigan in Ilocos Sur.
Local government units provide the land for the swine facility as its counterpart support.
Farmers are trained on biosecure hog raising prior to receiving their swine.
The DA's National Livestock Program has partnered with the International Training Center on Pig Husbandry based in Lipa City, Batangas for the house design for the hogs, according to Agricultural Training Institute livestock focal person Krizel Joy Natividad.
The SMTD has been introduced under DA-NLP's Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion, or INSPIRE, Program. It is a hog repopulation program aimed at raising hog inventory following heavy ASF infestation, reported Aurelio Salvador of DA-Livestock.
Biosecurity measures in the swine program includes disinfestation process under which farm workers were required to bathe for disinfection before and after entering the swine facilities.
They also go through a 24-hour quarantine after entering the facilities.
The swine facility itself is air-conditioned and has curtains that keep the facility off infection.
