R-10’s agri dept and CdeO vet office prep up for ASF recovery in the city.

 

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Department of Agriculture – Region 10 (DA-10) Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado meets Cagayan de Oro City Veterinarian, Dr. Lucien Acac, for bilateral dialogue to lay down initial plans for the DA-CDeO LGU African Swine Fever (ASF) Recovery Program.

After the full rollout of the ASF indemnification this year, the DA-10 is eyeing the implementation of a long-term ASF Recovery Program in Cagayan de Oro City next year, to help ASF-hit hog raisers to get back on their feet.

Once implemented, the LGU-led, DA-assisted ASF Recovery Program will benefit at least 1,161 hog raisers in eight barangays in the city toppled by the ASF.

Part of the program is the implementation of the Swine Sentinelling Project to explore the possibility of swine repopulation in ASF-infested areas.

Through the Bantay ASF sa Barangay (BaBAY ASF) Program of the DA, pilot areas will undergo a meticulous assessment before swine repopulation will be started. Enforcement of stringent biosecurity measures in pilot hog farms – commercial or backyard, is also a requisite to commence the Swine Sentinelling Project.

ASF-hit hog raisers who wished to venture into other livestock-based livelihood may opt to avail of alternative agri-enterprise projects such as free range chicken and egg production businesses.

Through the conceived ASF Recovery Program, the DA in cooperation with the LGU will provide bonafide hog raisers the inputs needed to start such ventures.

Director Collado urged the City Government through its Veterinary Office to speed up preparations for the implementation of the ASF Recovery Program next year, by complying with the requirements set under the DA guidelines.

DA-10 will also implement the ASF Recovery Program in other ASF-stricken towns and cities in the region in 2022.# (ATalib)