ASF Impact Weighs Heavily on Iloilo Swine Industry

By Ma. Louiela Angela A. Mataac

Livestock farmers in Iloilo province are facing challenges in production, breeding farms, and feed mills after African Swine Fever (ASF) hit the region.

Despite ASF recovery efforts, lingering cases continue to affect other livestock sectors and disrupt the industry’s economic stability.

The Iloilo Provincial Agricultural Office Livestock Division reports approximately 82,035 pigs in the market as of September 2024, reflecting a 70% decline in the swine population since 2020 due to recurring ASF outbreaks. The virus’s spread continues to reduce pig stocks on hog farms, further diminishing their market value and threatening swine farmers’ livelihoods.

The ASF Domino Effect

In January 2024, the swine population dropped to 72,320 pigs, leading to decreased demand for feed mills producing corn, rice bran, and coconut copra.

“About 30% of hog feed consists of corn, rice bran, and coconut copra,” said Hector Mallo, chief of the Iloilo Provincial Agricultural Livestock Division, noting that ASF’s impact on the swine industry is also affecting crop-dependent livelihoods.

Small-scale swine farmers are not exempt from income losses, as rising pig costs in breeding and butchering have led local vendors to purchase imported pork products to cover their losses.

“Sales have really slowed. Only regular customers are buying. The ASF outbreak up north has also affected our backyard suppliers,” said a local vendor at a wet market.

Small-scale or “backyard” swine farms are also struggling with supply and demand challenges, with vendors and middlemen increasingly sourcing stock from larger farms instead of local suppliers.

ASF’s impact has significantly shifted market dynamics and poses a severe threat to the livelihoods of swine farmers, overall market activity, and agricultural productivity in the province.

Major Contributor to Iloilo’s Swine Farming

Mallo explained that 80% of the livestock industry in Iloilo is comprised of small-scale or backyard swine farmers, followed by cattle farmers, with goat and carabao farmers making up the remaining portion.

Before ASF hit the province, Iloilo’s hog industry marketed an annual average of 227,421 pigs, showing the sector’s vast impact on livestock and its influence on other areas during breeding cycles impacted by ASF.

The high swine population is due to pigs’ short reproductive cycle. “It takes only four months from conception to weaning for swine, compared to around 270 days for ruminants, which typically produce only one offspring per year,” Mallo explained. “Each mother pig can produce up to 12 piglets twice a year, making hogs more susceptible to viral spread due to their high density.”

Initiatives Taken

To counter ASF’s impact, the Iloilo Provincial Agricultural Office Livestock Division launched the “Green Grass, Golden Gains” program on Oct. 3, 2024, aimed at strengthening biosecurity measures.

The program provides swine farmers with training, resilient farming practices, technical assistance, and subsidies.

“I attended local government seminars on ASF disinfection techniques. They provide EMAS (Effective Microorganism Activated Solution) for water and molasses, which I give to my pigs to keep them virus-free,” said Joebert, an eight-year hog farmer.

EMAS helps reduce odor in backyard farms, while molasses provides essential nutrients that help prevent ASF. Such biosecurity protocols demonstrate how effective measures can improve swine farming practices.

Joebert added, “Every day, I start by cleaning the backyard, spraying disinfectant, then feeding. Some farmers are diligent, while others aren’t, but regular cleaning is key to preventing disease.”

With swine farmers comprising 80% of the province’s livestock industry, responsible management is crucial. Despite ASF’s 90% impact, the ongoing adoption of better practices shows promise in curbing the disease’s spread and preserving Iloilo’s swine industry.

Ma. Louiela Angela Mataac is a third-year Communication and Media Studies student at the University of the Philippines Visayas, Miagao, Iloilo.