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At least PHP300 million has been allocated for the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) program in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), eyed to produce at least 16,800 hogs per season. The program aims to address the hog supply following the effects of African swine fever (ASF) in the region.
The CAR Department of Agriculture has identified at least 30 qualified Farmer Cooperative Associations that were allotted PHP5.5 million each to construct a 300-head capacity pig pen and to purchase piglets, feed, and other inputs.
A total of PHP165 million was allotted for the first batch while PHP135 million was set aside for the second batch, with 26 Farmer Cooperative Associations beneficiaries spread out in all six provinces of the region.
The region has been largely reliant on the supply from other regions, supplemented by the backyard growers from the villages of the Cordillera.
Before the height of ASF outbreaks, at least 300 hogs were being butchered at the Baguio City abattoir daily to meet the city’s consumption. This dropped to 150 during the pandemic due to a lack of supply and demand as a result of the skyrocketing prices of pork. At present, about 200 hogs are butchered at the city’s abattoir per day.
Based on the Philippine Statistics Authority data, a Cordilleran consumes 15 kilograms of pork per year, the highest in the nation.
May 23, 2024/ Philippine News Agency/ Philippines.
https://www.pna.gov.ph
