Emerging Livestock Production Technologies to Keep Pace with Increasing Population

Abstract

This paper presents some analyses and recommendations on how the swine subsector, as it continues to dominate the livestock sector and hence make up a significant proportion of the agricultural landscape, can become a logical and potent springboard in addressing the demographic crisis in the country. It also provides a framework showing the vital link between population, poverty, and food security, with the contention that unless poverty is significantly reduced, the goal to attain food security remains a distant reality. This paper further presents a comprehensive discussion and vital recommendations on the role of emerging swine production technologies in meeting the protein requirements of the present and future generations of Filipinos, as well as in providing livelihood opportunities to empower the poor and disadvantaged sectors of society.

Swine is the largest source of meat in the country’s livestock industry, constituting about three-quarters of Philippine livestock production. Together with the poultry subsector, swine dominates the Philippine livestock sector in terms of volume, value of production, and contribution to the animal protein diet of the Filipino people. During the last 10 years, R&D programs and initiatives were able to generate scientific and technological breakthroughs, which have significantly contributed to the improvement of swine production in the country. These include, among others, genetic and reproduction improvement through artificial insemination (AI), nutrition and feeding management, and animal health care. However, much still needs to be done to maximize the potential of these technologies, particularly for backyard raisers.

With a projected population of 111 million by the year 2025, the swine industry in the next 22 years must triple its pork production (2.8 million MT by 2025) to meet the projected demand (2.3 million MT by 2025). The ultimate task ahead is for all industry players to be able to encourage and empower hog farmers and farmer organizations to attain increased productivity and production efficiency, improved product quality, and reduced production costs toward an efficient, viable, and sustainable swine industry. The interventions required from the industry players include policy interventions, R&D/S&T interventions, and technology transfer.