DA to assist hog raisers affected by African swine fever

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will provide financial assistance to small backyard raisers whose hogs were affected by the African swine fever (ASF) virus.

In a bulletin posted on its website, the DA said it will initially provide an average assistance of P3,000 per head regardless of weight and age, from an initial fund of P22.25 million.

This figure is based on the DA’s count of 7,416 culled pigs as of September 9.

The DA will also allot P60 million to provide a zero-interest, no-collateral loan worth P30,000 per hog raiser affected by ASF.

This loan will initially benefit 2,000 small backyard raisers in barangays in Rizal, Bulacan, and Quezon City.

“With this capital to tide them over, affected swine raisers can engage in any appropriate livelihood venture like broiler, layer and goat raising, and vegetable production,” Secretary William Dar said.

Small backyard raisers make up two-thirds of the local swine industry, according to the agriculture secretary.

In August, the DA ordered the culling of all hogs within a one-kilometer radius of ASF-stricken farms to contain the virus.

Hogs infected with ASF experience various symptoms such as high fever and hemorrhages and die within two to ten days on average. The virus poses no threat to human health. — Julia Mari T. Ornedo/BM, GMA News