Philippines’ Abra targets ASF-free status by end 2026

Animal raisers are constantly reminded to observe biosecurity.

“No one will protect the farm except the owner; they are the ones primarily responsible for that,” Dr Abaya said, adding that raisers are encouraged to plant forage like madre de agua as alternative to swill feeding.

Integrated National Swine Production Initiative for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE)

Meanwhile, the Cosili Bangued Abra Farmers Association Inc, with 147 members, received around USD 81,000 worth of assistance from the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera’s Integrated National Swine Production Initiative for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE).

Association President Allane Balubar said they are strict with biosecurity, allowing only two people to enter animal cages for feeding and cleaning. They are currently on their second cycle raising 100 swine heads.

“We are strict with biosecurity because we do not want the assistance to be lost. We have committed to grow the animals so that we can grow the money and raise the USD 81,000 capital invested by the government in this project,” Mr Balubar said.

Under INSPIRE, beneficiaries are given three years to raise the capital provided by the government.

“It is a grant because once they raise the amount from their animal raising activity, they can keep the fund which they can continue to use to expand for bigger income,” said Jayvee Canor, Livestock Program Coordinator at the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture.

Aside from INSPIRE, the the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture also has the Livestock-based Economic Enterprise Development (LEED) program to empower farmers and cooperatives by elevating small-scale animal production into sustainable, profitable business operations.