The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has encouraged hog raisers affected by the African Swine Flu (ASF) to try fish farming as their alternative livelihood.
In a statement issued on Feb. 15, BFAR said that the move is aimed at helping small-scale hog farmers convert their empty concrete pigpens to fish tanks through the National Freshwater Fisheries Technology Center (NFFTC).
The agency said that this initiative would mitigate the adverse effects of the infectious disease on food security.
Meanwhile, DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) recently revealed that it would establish six mobile laboratory units in ASF-affected regions on Mar. 31 to contain the disease’s infestation nationwide.
“The P100 million-worth mobile labs can provide services to local government units (LGUs) affected by ASF. The labs will also train personnel in disease detection, monitoring, and prevention,” DA Sec. William Dar said in a separate statement.
As the hog industry continues to implement programs and protocols to prevent ASF’s spread, the BFAR, on the other hand, provides hog raisers alternative livelihood opportunities through innovative and accessible aquaculture technology.
Last year, as part of the agency’s aquaculture program, ASF-affected hog raisers from Barangay Payatas and Barangay Bagong Silangan in Quezon City alone received 60 units of urban aquaculture support system.