By Dan B. Codamon
LAGAWE, Ifugao –Oversupply of swine livestock and low demand of meat from consumers is worrying backyard farmers in the province of possible economic losses.
Provincial veterinarian Dr. James Gopengbared this saying he had been receiving complaints from several livestock producers asking his help on how they can solve the problem.
Gopeng said municipalities affected by oversupply and low demand beginning last month wereLamut, Kiangan, Lagawe, Banaue, Asipulo, Hungduan and Hingyon.
He said oversupply and low demand may have been triggered by the dearth of occasions such as wedding ceremonies, death, festivals and other events needing animals to be butchered and served to the people and guests.
Compounding the problem, swine traders and meat vendors in the province buy most of their supply from neighboring provinces of Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya because pigs are sold cheaper there at P80 per kilo live weight as compared to P85 per kilo in Ifugao.
Gopeng told swine producers that they cannot prohibit swine traders from buying their livestock supply from these provinces because these are cheaper and it will be against the law.
What they can only do, he added, is to regulate the entry of these cheaper pigs from the nearby provinces by imposing the policy of “mopermit, no entry” on traders and suppliers.
He said animals coming from other places outside Ifugao must have shipping and handling permit to protect the livestock of the province from being contaminated by diseases carried by these transported animals.
Another remedy that the PVO is contemplating is the training of the swine producers on food processing of their products so that they will not suffer huge economic losses if this problem will persist.
Gopeng said he hoped this situation will be temporary since starting October there will again be many occasions and celebrations that will need animals especially pigs to be butchered hence demand for swine livestock will again increase.
Gopeng said municipalities affected by oversupply and low demand beginning last month wereLamut, Kiangan, Lagawe, Banaue, Asipulo, Hungduan and Hingyon.
He said oversupply and low demand may have been triggered by the dearth of occasions such as wedding ceremonies, death, festivals and other events needing animals to be butchered and served to the people and guests.
Compounding the problem, swine traders and meat vendors in the province buy most of their supply from neighboring provinces of Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya because pigs are sold cheaper there at P80 per kilo live weight as compared to P85 per kilo in Ifugao.
Gopeng told swine producers that they cannot prohibit swine traders from buying their livestock supply from these provinces because these are cheaper and it will be against the law.
What they can only do, he added, is to regulate the entry of these cheaper pigs from the nearby provinces by imposing the policy of “mopermit, no entry” on traders and suppliers.
He said animals coming from other places outside Ifugao must have shipping and handling permit to protect the livestock of the province from being contaminated by diseases carried by these transported animals.
Another remedy that the PVO is contemplating is the training of the swine producers on food processing of their products so that they will not suffer huge economic losses if this problem will persist.
Gopeng said he hoped this situation will be temporary since starting October there will again be many occasions and celebrations that will need animals especially pigs to be butchered hence demand for swine livestock will again increase.
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