BOAC, Marinduque — African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks in the Philippines started last July 2019, which affected piggeries mostly owned by backyard raisers in several provinces in Luzon, Mindanao and Leyte Islands.
ASF outbreak affected farmers amidst COVID-19 pandemic and caused shortage on pork supply. This caused price increased in pork from 200 pesos to 500 pesos per kilogram. The scenario resulted in higher market price of pork since its supply cannot meet the demand. The inability of the swine sector to produce sufficient quantity of pork due to ASF complicates the problem on food security especially during times of pandemic when people have limited opportunity to produce nutritious food.
The “Strategic Interventions for Sustainable Production of Marinduque Native Pigs”, a research program of Marinduque State College (MSC) being funded by Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) is now conducting trainings and orientations for native pig production. These extension initiatives are in line with the program’s objectives to improve the productive and reproductive performance of nucleus Marinduke breeders, conduct performance and profitability testing of Markaduke pig at farmers’ field, and establish sustainable production of feeds in support of Marinduke pig production.
In support to the program, Markaduke Research and Development Center (MRDC) conducted one day training on forage production and utilization on March 26. Participants from selected barangays who complied with the requirements of Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) were consist of nine native pig cooperators. They manifested strong interest to the topics as shown by their active participation during discussions. Topics include (1) Site Identification and Land Preparation which was discussed by Cherry Rose M. Robles, (2) Nursery Management to Pre-planting presented by Allan Q. Murillo, (3) Identification of Forage Crops: Nutrition and Anti-nutrition Properties by Joeauna L. Loto, (4) Research Findings Using Different Forage Crops by Kristine Joy Fidelino, (5) Actual Practices on Forage Production and Utilization at the Nucleus Farm by Giselle M. Perlas, and (6) Data Recording by Shecel Jann Lozano. The resource persons are part of the research program, and directly involved in the operation of the nucleus farm.
The activity aims to provide technical knowledge on forage production and utilization to enable farmers in ensuring feed availability and quality towards a low cost native pig production. It provided new insights and information to sustain profitable utilization of native pigs at farmers’ level. Said training was headed by Project 2 Leader Marilyn A. Mayores and Program Leader Prof. Arnolfo M. Monleon.
As token of appreciation, the participants were given seedlings and cuttings so they can start growing forage crops in their backyard for a low cost production of native pigs. — Marinduquenews.com
