By CESAR JOLITO III

The hog-raising industry in Negros Occidental is showing signs of gradual recovery after being severely hit by African swine fever (ASF) and hog cholera outbreaks in 2023, the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) said.

Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Placeda Lemana said hog production in the province has been steadily increasing, with slaughterhouse records indicating a jump from 3,353 heads in January to more than 6,000 in June, and further to 9,112 in July.

The province has resumed supplying live hogs to Cebu, Samar, Luzon, and Panay, reflecting a rebound in market activity.

Hog raisers in Negros Occidental also saw new opportunities after Cebu province lifted its ban on the entry of live pigs and livestock in July, a restriction previously imposed to prevent ASF.

However, Lemana admitted the industry has yet to fully regain its pre-outbreak production levels.

Before ASF struck, Negros Occidental had close to 500,000 hogs, compared to the current population of around 250,000 to 300,000.

Over 18,000 hogs in 20 towns and cities were culled to prevent the spread of ASF and hog cholera in the farms, forcing many raisers to halt operations.

Losses due to swine disease last year reached P199.5 million, PVO data showed.

Several hog raisers have already initiated self-sentineling in 2024, which reported no cases of pig deaths for that period.

Now, several affected farmers have returned to hog raising, buoyed by improving conditions and demand.

Negros Occidental continues as a major pork supplier in Western Visayas, and ranks second in the entire country, after Batangas./CJ, WDJ