To arrest the decline in hog production, the DA vowed to implement a P40-million vaccination program and spend P50 million for swine restocking in selected regions.

The DA is embarking on disbursing funds as feeds incentives aside from a modest P20-million feed assistance program for hog growers.

Compounding the problem is the inability of the industry to provide an additional 1,584 heads daily over the daily demand to satisfy the requirement of an increasing population, according to the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI).

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap said the DA has already spent P30 million to vaccinate 213,382 sows and replacement gilts in Central Luzon and the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon (Calabarzon) area.

DA feared the problem would be exacerbated if more breeder stocks and fatteners are taken ill or hit by an epidemic.

Under the swine vaccination program, commercial raisers will be allowed to vaccinate their stocks while backyard farmers will be given access to vaccines.

Yap said the DA will also strengthen linkages with LGUs and strictly implement biosecurity measures to safeguard the livestock sector from possible disease outbreaks.

Although its growth declined in the first quarter, the livestock subsector grossed P42.1 billion at current prices, which represents an increase of 7.63 percent from last year’s record of P39.11 billion.

View the Manila Bulletin story by clicking here.