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Since the ASF outbreak in 2019, the government has been paying P5,000 for every culled pig of backyard raisers in ASF-infected areas.
In all, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has received a requested total of P2.158-billion to indemnify affected backyard hog raisers, of which P1.697 billion (B) has already been paid to 48,530 farmer-beneficiaries, who owned 379,420 culled hogs. Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the remaining amount of P461 million (M) is set to be released to indemnify the remaining backyard raisers, who owned roughly 92,200 culled hogs.
In addition to the indemnification, the DA has provided ASF-affected farmers financial and technical assistance through the agency’s twin program — called “Bantay ASF sa Barangay” and Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives (INSPIRE). Both initiatives are implemented by the DA’s National Livestock Program, in partnership with the local government units, swine raisers’ groups, the private sector, and professional veterinary associations.
Under its hog repopulation program, the DA has to date distributed 8,169 sentinel pigs to 3,061 farmer-beneficiaries in 312 ASF-free barangays. It will also establish 10 community-based production facilities in ASF-free areas or “green zones” through clustering and consolidation, worth P50 M, including a climate-controlled 300-head grower capacity building located in a bio-secured area; and 16 swine breeder multiplier farms, worth P125 M, in partnership with hog farmers’ cooperatives and associations, local government units, and state universities and colleges.
November 20, 2021/ Department of Agriculture/ Philippines.
https://www.da.gov.ph
