THE Department of Agriculture (DA) is set to distribute P1 billion worth of swine to large farms nationwide, aiming to restore the country’s hog population to its pre-African Swine Fever level of 14 million heads within three years.
On Sunday, April 20, the DA said 30,000 gilts will be provided to large-scale farms, which will repay the government by supplying reared pigs for redistribution to backyard farmers.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. urged the swine industry to support the three-year initiative, which seeks to increase the current inventory — estimated at around 8 million heads — by 75% by 2028.
The Agriculture department also announced an agreement with industry stakeholders to strengthen enforcement of the maximum suggested retail price for pork. The private sector has pledged to monitor its members and prevent profiteering.
The MSRP, which took effect March 10, is set at P380 per kilo for liempo, P350 for kasim and pigue in wet markets across Metro Manila, and P300 per kilo for pork sold by traders to retailers. These rates exclude supermarkets and hypermarkets.
“The renewed commitment followed a consultative meeting on April 14, after DA market inspections earlier this month found that fewer than 10% of sellers were complying with the MSRPs,” the DA said.
Retailers have cited challenges in meeting the pricing guidelines, including limitations on selling other pork cuts and the high cost of biosecurity measures due to ASF.
As of April 15, 2024, DA data show that frozen kasim averaged P251.37 per kilo and frozen liempo P313.94 per kilo in Metro Manila markets. (GMA Integrated News)
