Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Hog raisers in WV join ‘Pork-in-a-Box’ project

PHILIPPINES - A Pork-in-Box scheme is helping pig farmers in Western Visayas boost returns from markets in Metro Manila. They can now ship carcases from the Passi City abattoir safely to Pontevedra Meat Cutting Facility in Capiz for processing. .

The Department of Agriculture scheme enables the meant to be cut and then stored and chilled in a modern blast freezing and packing equipment. It is then transported by vans via roll on-roll off or nautical highway to selling points across Metro Manila.

The scheme is aimed at reducing the risk and incidence of animal diseases because it minimises the transport and shipment of live animals.

The "Pork-in-a-Box" program was relaunched by the DA last year to improve accessibility of safe and hygienic pork products. The scheme is new to Panay and is already proving a success.

OIC-Regional Executive Director Larry Nacionales said meat products sold under the Pork-in-a-box project are cheaper by P5 to P10 per kilo than the prevailing prices in regular retail outlets.

Hog growers in Panay have committed to deliver 15 tons of pork per week under the project, he said.

National Federation of Hog Farmers President, Albert Lim says that hog farmers support the program. It allows them to take part in the supply chain and provide the consumers easy access to quality pork cuts at a lower price.

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