DA plans to cut pork imports by 60,000 MT

The Department of Agriculture (DA) aims to reduce the country’s pork imports by 60,000 metric tons (MT) this year by boosting local pig production through its P2.1 billion modified repopulation program.

- JASPER EMMANUEL ARCALAS

The DA targets to substitute 10 percent of the country’s imported pork or approximately 60,000 MT with domestic output by year-end.

The department plans to achieve its goal by “enhancing” and “refocusing” its banner swine repopulation program known as Integrated National Swine Production Initiatives for Recovery and Expansion (INSPIRE) program.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 28 that modified the implementing guidelines of the program, which shall now be known as the Modified INSPIRE program.

“There is a need to enhance and refocus the implementing strategies of the repopulation program, to achieve the targets of the project and stabilize the price of pork in the retail market,” Tiu Laurel said in the document published recently.