TO compensate the loss of African Swine Fever (ASF)-affected hog raisers in Benguet, Ifugao and Kalinga in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the Department of Agriculture (DA) has alloted more than P14-million as indeminification fund.

DA-CAR OIC Regional Executive Director Dr. Cameron P. Odsey said the additional fund appropriation does not only help the affected hog raisers but also aims to intensify the efforts of controlling the spread and managing the ill effects of the ASF.

Odsey disclosed that the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) also assisted the affected Apayao hog raisers last July through the indemnification fund amounting to PHP 1.3 million.

He added that the Baguio Animal Breeding and Research Center (BABRC) has raised 87 piglets, 57 of which were distributed to affected hog raisers and the remaining 30 to ASF-free areas as a repopulation effort in Benguet.

“The use of BABRC piglets as sentinel in Benguet started on June 11, 2020, a total of 35 heads were used as sentinel in 2020 and 22 heads were used this 2021,” he added.

Also, the DA’s Special Area for Agriculture Development Program (DA-SAAD) assisted ASF-free barangays in Apayao, Mt. Province and Kalinga through the provision of feeds.

Furthermore, the regional department will expand such an initiative through the Swine Production Feeds Assistance Program (SPFAP). It covers the provision of feeds to biosecurity complaints and qualified backyard swine breeder farms to ASF-free areas. This is part of the efforts of the agency to encourage continuous swine production in the locality.

In every one production cycle, a breeder shall repay two female piglets to be given to qualified farmers.

The repayment, which composed of two piglets, will be given to next-in-line beneficiaries, inclusive of PHP 15,000 worth of feeds.

The next in line beneficiary will receive one piglet inclusive of feeds worth P7,500 to be raised as breeders and will repay one piglet in due time.

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Cory Martinez