Shortage of Swine Production

Introduction:
Swine production is an essential agricultural sector in the Philippines that contributes
significantly to the country's economy. Swine production provides livelihood for many Filipinos,
and pork is a primary source of protein for the Filipino people. However, the industry is currently
facing significant challenges, including disease outbreaks, high production costs, and
insufficient supply of pork in the market, which has led to an increase in prices. This position
paper will address the issue of swine production in the Philippines and provide
recommendations on how to overcome these challenges.

Background:
The swine industry in the Philippines has been facing several challenges for the past years,
including the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak in 2019. ASF is a highly contagious viral
disease that affects pigs and can cause massive losses to the swine industry. It has been
estimated that the outbreak caused a loss of over PHP 100 billion to the industry. The
government had to implement strict measures, such as culling infected pigs and banning the
movement of live pigs and pork products in and out of infected areas, to prevent the spread of
the disease.

Another significant challenge facing the industry is the high cost of production. The cost of feed,
which accounts for 70-80% of the total production cost, has been increasing due to the rising
cost of corn and soybean meal, which are the primary ingredients in pig feed. Moreover, the
cost of veterinary services and medicines has also been increasing, making it more expensive
to manage the health of the pigs. The insufficient supply of pork in the market has also been a
significant issue, leading to an increase in prices. This has been caused by the decrease in the
number of pigs due to the ASF outbreak and the slow repopulation process. Moreover, the
pandemic has also affected the supply chain, making it difficult to transport pigs and pork
products to different parts of the country.

Recommendations:
To address the challenges facing the swine industry in the Philippines, the following
recommendations should be implemented: Control and Prevention of ASF: The government
should continue implementing strict measures to control and prevent the spread of ASF. This
includes the proper disposal of infected pigs, monitoring and surveillance of the disease, and
the use of vaccines. Promotion of Biosecurity Measures: Biosecurity measures should be strictly
implemented to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases in swine farms. This includes
disinfection of equipment and facilities, restriction of visitors, and proper disposal of waste
materials. Development of Sustainable and Affordable Feeds: The government should support
the development of sustainable and affordable feeds for pigs, such as the use of alternative
protein sources like insects and seaweeds, to reduce the cost of production. Provision of
Financial Assistance: Financial assistance should be provided to small-scale farmers to help
them recover from the losses caused by the ASF outbreak and to improve their production
capacity. Implementation of Efficient Supply Chain: The government should also improve the
supply chain to ensure the efficient transportation of pigs and pork products to different parts of
the country. This includes the construction of infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, and the
provision of subsidies for transportation costs.

Conclusion:
The swine industry in the Philippines is facing significant challenges that require immediate
action to overcome. The implementation of the recommendations above will help to address the
challenges facing the industry and ensure its sustainability in the future. The government,
together with the private sector and stakeholders, should work together to support the swine
industry and provide the necessary assistance to farmers to improve their production capacity
and ensure the steady supply of pork in the market.