The Department of Agriculture (DA) revised its hog recovery program to prioritize sow-weaner operations and artificial insemination, a strategic move aimed at combating the ongoing African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak and revitalizing the country’s swine industry.
The revised program renamed Modified Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion, or Modified INSPIRE, aimed at reviving the swine industry and reducing pork imports following the devastating effects of African Swine Fever (ASF).
“In the absence of a vaccine, there is a clear need to refocus the strategy for hog industry repopulation and recovery to stabilize pork prices, reduce import dependence, and boost food security,” said DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel.
The new strategy requires beneficiaries to adopt modern climate-controlled or biosecurity level 1 compliant facilities. Multiplier farms will distribute breeding stocks, while production farms will supply piglets to members or registered buyers.
The DA allocated support packages ranging from P10 million to P16.2 million for various farm sizes and existing facilities, covering biosecure facilities, animal husbandry supplies, weaners and hauling trucks.
The program aims to replace 60,000 metric tons, about 10 percent of imported pork, by boosting domestic hog production. This is crucial as the swine industry continues to grapple with ASF, which has significantly reduced the hog population from 12.7 million in 2018 to 9.8 million in September 2023.
