AID FOR HOG RAISERS. The Department of Agriculture-Central Luzon has started distributing sentinel piglets and feeds in areas that were hit by African swine fever (ASF) in Tarlac and Zambales. The move is under the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) of the DA's National Livestock Program. (Photo courtesy of the Department of Agriculture-Region 3)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Department of Agriculture-Central Luzon (DA-3) regional office here has started distributing sentinel piglets in areas that were affected by African swine fever (ASF) in Central Luzon.
The move is under the Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) of the DA's National Livestock Program.
Dr. Eduardo L. Lapuz Jr., DA-3 regional technical director for operations and extension, said on Thursday the objective of the program is to help hog raisers revive their source of livelihood which was affected by ASF.
"Ito’y naglalayong mas mapabilis ang pagbawi ng sektor ng baboy mula sa African swine fever (ASF) na kung saan ito’y isang tatlong-taong programa na nag-aalok ng magkakahalong interbensyon upang simulan at buhayin ang industriyang ito (This aims to hasten the recovery of the piggery sector from the African swine fever (ASF) wherein it is a three-year program that offers various interventions to start and revive the industry),” Lapuz in a local news report.
He said 45 members of the Kaisa Women’s Organization in Tarlac City received 135 sentinel piglets and 405 sacks of feeds last July 20.
Each member received three piglets and nine sacks of feeds.
Lapuz said 52 hog raisers from Iba, Zambales also received 156 sentinel piglets and 480 sacks of feeds last Tuesday.
Lapuz said the repopulation of hogs can only be allowed if the pigs could survive and progress to maturity without any trace of the ASF virus based on the close monitoring and laboratory results of blood samples.
He reminded the backyard hog raisers not to feed the pigs with swill which is the main cause of the spread of the ASF and to strictly comply with the biosecurity protocols. (PNA)
