Launching of Happy Pig Project: An Organic Pig Farming Method

The Happy Pig Project (Nangoku Hoboku Buta), a collaboration between Maligaya Meat Asia Corporation, Super Pork Waton, Department of Agriculture-Region XI and University of Southeastern Philippines will be launched on July 3, 2008 at the USEP, Mampising Campus Mabini in Compostela Valley Province.

This project will adopt a farm systems (Japan) based undertaking using a combination of free-grazing of pigs fed with a custom mixed ration fortified with pro-biotic additives for ensuring total health of the animals.

The soil and water samples are taken from the site for the required tests to ensure that no harmful substances (pesticides, chemicals) and microorganisms (Salmonella, E. coli) are present. The area is cleared of obnoxious weeds and undesirable growth.

Happy Pig Project's mission is to:

1. Promote employment
2. Promote production of superior animals free from stress and could thrive from indigenous feed materials and free from health hazard substances
3. Create awareness for the protection of public health
4. Promote wellness among consumers
5. Develop international markets
6. Promote sustainable agriculture, utilization of marginal lands and development of new agribusiness lands.
7. Expansion of the hog farming industry.
8. Establish a wider, more thorough production system for the development and expansion of an organic farming system.
9. Establish the role and benefits of organic farming technologies as essential and indispensable element of the hog industry in the Philippines, henceforth; increase the number of countries receiving exports.
   

Reasons why Organic Meat & Production are Becoming so Popular?

1. Successive Food Scare: BSE, E. coli, Salmonella
2. Concerns about genetically modified (GMO) products
3. Concerns about animal welfare in intensive conventional rearing
4. Beliefs that organic food products are more nutritious
5. Fear of pesticide residues in non-organic produce
6. Fear of artificial fertilizer residues in non-organic produce
7. Fear of antibiotic or medication residues in non-organic produce
8. Fear of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in non-organic produce
9. High value niche markets sought by small scale farmers or producers

To know more about this project, call the Livestock Division office at 82- 221-5559.

Other Resources on Organic Pig Farming:

Organic Pig Production System
Organic Pig Production
Organic Pig Production: An Introductory Guide
Successful Organic Hog Production