In barangay Liwon in the municipality of Asipulo in Ifugao, native pig production is thriving.
The Provincial Veterinary Office (PVET) reported that in their monitoring and evaluation they found out that the Philippine Native Animal Development (PNAD) program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) that was started in January last year is a success.
Ferdinand Dunuan, the PVET Training Coordinator, said that the first line of beneficiaries of the PNAD in Barangay Liwon is already re-dispersing the offspring of the native pigs they received to the second set of beneficiaries.
Last year, the 15 beneficiaries of the PNAD from Barangay Liwon who are members of the Liwon Sustainable Agricultural Farmers Association (LSAFA) were each given a male and a female piglets to raise.
Before they started this native pig raising endeavor, the beneficiaries were given training by the PVET on natural pig farming and organic feed formulation to equip them with the knowledge and skills of pig raising. They were also taught good animal husbandry practices adopting the natural pig farming methods at the backyard level.
The beneficiaries were also told to plant and propagate local feed stuff needed for native pig farming such as camote, taro and improved fodders trees and forages that will serve as the main feed sources of the animals in their idle or underutilized lands and also as slope protection crops.
With the success of the 15 farmers of Liwon, the PVET hopes that other farmers will be attracted and inspired to venture into native pig production to expand the industry in the whole community.
PNAD’s vision is to provide pride, health and wealth to Filipinos by conserving, producing and marketing native animals under a sustainable environment. It aims to formulate, promote and implement policies and programs for the development, conservation, production and marketing of native animals.
The prolific native pigs are now being conserved and commercialized with the improved native species which are larger than earlier breeds and are available in government facilities and from private entrepreneurs engaged in animal production.
Another good characteristic of native pigs is that they can start reproduction at five months old compared to other breeds that may take at least eight months.
The native pigs are also resilient.The PVET also noted that they survived the African Swine Fever that affected the swine industry in the municipality and in the province.
The demand for native pigs in Ifugao is increasing .The cultural practices and traditions of the Ifugao people usually involving the butchering of pigs and animals in their many rites and rituals can sustain the demand for native pigs. Add to this the fact that roasted native pig or lechon is more delicious, crispier, less fatty and, health-wise, are better for consumers.
Asipulo is a 5th class municipality and primarily an agriculture community in which 95% of the populace derive their income from farming activities. The native pig production is an additional source of food and income this challenging time. **By Daniel B. Codamon PIA CAR, Ifugao
