BACOLOD City – The production of black pigs is being promoted as a new area of investment to generate business, employment and livelihood in Negros Occidental.
According to the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO), the black pig farming will provide an alternative source of livelihood through the production of these animals known to contain high-quality protein.
The black pig raising is budget-friendly to small-scale farmers who find the cost of commercial feeds prohibitive since it requires low-cost production inputs for housing and feeding, said provincial veterinarian Renante Decena on Thursday.
“Black pigs when roasted is less fatty and meatier than the standard or imported breeds,” he added.
According to the PVO, black pigs are best known for its color attribute – some have white, red and black spots.
Decena said the province has a total requirement of up to 3,085 heads every month.
As of 2018, black pig population in Negros Occidental has pegged to around 20,000 heads.
The province, including its capital Bacolod City, has a daily requirement of 145 heads while monthly ship-out is 350 heads for Iloilo and 150 heads for Cebu.
These animals are very easy to raise and have an ability to grow and reproduce five to eight piglets even under adverse conditions.
Decena said Negros black pigs are commonly grown in free-range and being fed by locally available resources found in many areas in the province.
These resources include gabi (taro), kamote, kangkong, banana trunks and leaves, copra, rice bran, and cassava. (With a report from PNA/PN)
