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As the African Swine Fever (ASF) incidence is at its lowest level since August 2020, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to implement the government’s P600-million swine repopulation program, focusing initially on previously affected areas that are no longer under quarantine and now classified as “pink” and “yellow” zones.
“We are heartened that the ASF incidence is waning, which as of March 26, 2021, has registered 253 cases, versus 358 cases in January 2021, 330 cases in February 2021, and the highest level at 1,773 cases in August 2020,” said Agriculture Secretary William Dar.
As per ASF color-coding scheme, “pink” zones serve as buffer, where ASF is not present but adjacent to an infected zone. It may also be an area previously infected but the ASF virus has not been detected for at least 90 days, and thus has recovered from infected status.
Other areas where the INSPIRE program (Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion) will be implemented are the: “yellow” or surveillance zones, which are ASF-free but adjacent to “yellow” zones; and “light green” and “dark green” zones, which are free from ASF.
INSPIRE will be implemented through the ‘sentinel’ approach initially in the first eight regions affected by ASF, benefiting 8,000 backyard raisers. The sentinel approach is the limited placement of pigs to ascertain if there is still ASF virus present in a test area.
DA Undersecretary for Livestock Dr. William Medrano said the project beneficiaries will each receive three to five “sentinel” piglets — including feeds, veterinary drugs, biologics and anti-viral agents — during the six-month fattening period. The sentinel component entails an initial budget of P400 million under the INSPIRE program.
Another P200 million is allocated for the INSPIRE multiplier breeder component to ensure continuous source of piglets for the subsequent expansion of the swine repopulation program, said Medrano, who oversees the DA National Livestock Program.
The DA through its International Training Center on Pig Husbandry (ITCPH) is also establishing swine breeder multiplier farms, initially in eight provinces, namely: Ilocos Norte, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Mindoro, Sorsogon, Southern Leyte, Bohol, and Bukidnon.
March 30, 2021/ Department of Agriculture/ Philippines.
https://www.da.gov.ph/
