Another Huge Support For Community ‘Hogstel’

The advocacy to support backyard hog farmers who were devastated by the African Swine Fever by establishing a modern and bio secure facility called “Community Hogstel” yesterday gained the overwhelming support of a hog industry veteran who is now Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Hogs and Poultry, Dante Palabrica.
In a one-on-one consultative meeting in his office at the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Asec. Palabrica said that the Community Hogstel Project is a strategic intervention which could revive the rural hog industry of the country.
Asec. Palabrica once handled the Hog Production venture of Robina Farms which was among the huge commercial piggeries hit by the ASF.
“The key is really to relocate the production of hogs in the safe zones, away from the traditional hog production areas because the ASF virus is so toxic,” he said.
The virus, he said, could remain in the previously affected areas even after two years thus it is not wise to repopulate hog farms which had been hit by the ASF.
During the consultation which I requested as I finalize the “Community Hogstel” Concept, Asec. Palabrica recommended some modifications in the establishment of Breeder facilities near the grow-out and fattening area.
Under the Community Hogstel Program, backyard hog farmers in the rural areas will be organized into an association, cooperative or corporative entity who will be provided by the Department of Agriculture with a modern and bio-secure facility, complete with feed mill, slaughterhouse and processing facilities.
With the help of animal health experts and nutritionists, the hog raisers will operate and manage the facility away from population centers to avoid possible contamination.
The Community Hogstel Program is expected to be presented by Undersecretary DV Savellano to Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. next week.
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