Organic Pig Production in the Philippines1

Karen Arangote Felices

1
A research paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements in English 110.
 Organic Pig Production in the Philippines

Karen Arangote Felices

Introduction

Philippines is an agricultural country. Filipinos support themselves through agriculture.

The country’s agricultural sectors namely: fisheries, livestock, farming and forestry, contribute a

lot in the gross domestic product (GDP). A large portion of the Philippines are devoted for

agriculture.

Swine production or the technology applied to the keeping of swines for profit has been a

very popular enterprise in the country such that a greater number of Filipinos have venture in

backyard farming making the swine industry the second leading contributor to Philippine

agriculture, coming in second to rice.

According to Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, the local swine industry contributes about

83% of the total livestock production which is equivalent to almost 15% of the total value of

agricultural production. Hogs produced are mostly from backyard farms and some are raised by

commercial farms. As of January 2009, the total number of pigs is about 13.6 million herds, of

which 71% and 29% are from backyard farms and commercial farms, respectively. In 2007, the

total pork supply reached almost 1.7 million metric tons. Out of these total pork supply, 97% are

produced locally and the remaining percent are imported. About 98% of the demand for swine

production is for domestic food consumption. The remaining percent is processed into canned or

processed meat.
 With the increasing pork consumption and the decline in swine production due to

diseases caused by pathogens such as ebola virus and bacteria Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, and

the decreasing number of arable lands for agriculture, the need for an organic pig production

arises.

In organic pig production, hogs are raised on organic farms that participate in organic

farming scheme. Organic farming does not allow the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and

genetically-modified organisms (GMOs). Compared to conventional or traditional pig farms,

organic pig farms restrict the use of antibiotics and other drugs. These drugs were only used

under very controlled conditions. Feeds cannot contain GMO’s meat, bonemeal, animal fat,

antibiotics, growth promoters or other drugs and preservatives. Also, pigs are allowed to roam

outdoors. They have access to dry bedding and shelter.

The production of organic pigs depends on many factors such as the production systems

and its management. Like the conventional pig farming, organic pig farming has its own

strengths and weaknesses. But with these, a lot of opportunities open. One of which is the need

for organic farm markets thus organic pig production could be an easy success.

Statement of the Problem

Organic pig production is a good enterprise and could be an easy success to would-be

entrepreneurs. But shifting from conventional farming to organic farming creates transitional

problems. It will take a while for the soil to adjust the loss of chemical nourishment due to the

series of biological and chemical changes made. There are a number of problems that can occur

in organic pig farming but there are more benefits that could be taken if the use of chemicals and

GMOs are restricted.

 In organic production, constraints like paradigm, career and financial constraints could

arise. In addition to this, there could be a problem in labor and land allocation. Organic pig

production is labor- and land- intensive. Moreover, with the fast growing population it could not

feed a lot of people and its growth would lead to higher pork prices since organic products are

more expensive. With this, low-income families and people in the third world would not be able

to afford it. And so organic pig farming has a lot of competition with biotechnology since

advocates of this technology claim that there is no other way that we can feed the world. The

lack of support from the government for the researches and extensions has also been a problem

for organic farming that produces too low yield to feed a growing population. In contrast, a

number of studies showed that organic farming could increase food production levels and

decrease degradation of agricultural soils.

Objectives of the Study

The primary objective of this study is to determine the status of organic pig production in

the Philippines. Also, this study aims to define and to explain terminologies related to organic

pig production, to describe and to discuss how to efficiently raise swines in an organic farm, and

to cite the importance of organically-raised swine.

Significance of the Study

The study will be of great help to the university students especially to those who are

majoring in animal science with specialization in swine production. This study will serve as an

easy access of information. This also helps to identify some research gaps. Moreover, the study
may encourage readers and/or students to engage in organic swine production in their own

backyard as a small scale swine enterprise.

Scope and Limitations

A very few organic pig farms in the Philippines exist. There is a lack of support from the

government for the extension and researches about organic pig production. Researches should be

conducted. The researches should include investigations on different genotypes of swine, feeding

regimes and feed utilization strategies, with assessment of their effects in health and welfare,

reproduction and meat quality.

With the production of organic pigs, “niche” markets are a great opportunity. Organic

pork can be sold twice as the price of the pork produced conventionally. Also, there could be a

fortune for feed companies that could offer organic feeds for swine.

Review of Related Literature

Local and worldwide status of organic pig production

About 26 million hectares are under organic management worldwide, of which 42.9 % in

terms of the total area is managed organically by Oceania. Meanwhile, Latin America consists

34.0 % of the total number of organic farms. Among Asian countries, China topped the biggest

area of land managed organically, with 298, 990 hectares. In 2005, the Philippines have a land

area of about 3,500 hectares that are under organic management and consisting of about 500

organic farms.
 Organic pig farming criteria

For over the latest years, there has been a tremendous growth in numbers of organic

farms, including livestock farms in Europe. Almost all of the countries in Europe have livestock

products within their top five organic products. In some countries with a large over all pig

production like the Philippines, the percentage of organically produced pigs is estimated to be

“not detectable”.

Food products like pork are labeled organic only when the standards for housing

conditions, animal nutrition, and animal breeding as well as animal care, disease prevention, and

veterinary treatment are met. These standards are very different from the way in which

conventional pig production is managed and without a doubt, form a major constraint for many

farmers who wish to shift to organic pig production.

Organic pig production relies mainly on the management of internal farm resources rather

than on external input. In relation to health management, the principle of organic pig production

relies in preventive measures rather than on medical treatment. Basically, in organic pig farming

quality production is ensured rather than in maximizing the production. Nutritional requirements

of the hogs at various stages of their development must be met. Swine can only be fed on

organically produced feeding stuffs, preferably from the farm itself. Young hogs are fed based on

natural milk, preferably maternal milk for a minimum period required for hogs or swine. Also,

roughage, silage and/or fresh or dried fodder must be added to the daily ration for pigs.

Conventional feed materials of agricultural origin can only be used if they are prepared or

produced without the use of chemical solvents. This means that soybean meal which is the most

common protein source in animal nutrition cannot be used in organic feed. Antibiotics or any
other substance intended to stimulate growth production are not allowed in feeding. Use of

GMOs is also not allowed in animal feeding.

In organic pig farming, swine are allowed to perform their natural movements and

behavior. Management methods should not interfere with animals’ body parts. This means that

tail docking is not allowed but castration is allowed in order to reduce the aggressions in pens

and during transport to ensure product quality.

Organic pig production is associated with a high standard of animal health and welfare

with a high degree of food safety. Pigs in organic production systems benefit from a low animal

density and good possibilities for expressing normal behavior such as locomotion, foraging,

exploration and nest building. Organic pig production also differs from conventional production

in terms of feeding, access to outdoor areas, weaning age and use of preventive medication.

Size of organic pig production

Organic pig production as compared to other organic enterprise is small. And as

compared to conventional pig production, production through organic farming is also small. This

is partly because different production structures are difficult to translate number of pigs for pork

production.

Raising pigs organically

Study conducted suggests the use of older breeds such as Berkshire, Large Black,

Tamworth, Hampshire and Lacombe since these breeds were bred for specific purposes such as

grazing orchards. However, older breeds can be too fat for consumer preference thus it would be

good to combine the desirable traits of older breeds of sow and lean modern breed of boars such

as Yorkshire, Landrace or Duroc.

 Pigs have a single stomach which cannot easily digest cellulose. It is a must that forages

for pigs should be leafy with less stems and straw. Older pigs can consume up to 70% leafy

forages but young pigs should be given more of the high quality grain and protein. With these

limitations, it is recommended that rotational grazing on high quality pastures supplemented with

local grains and legumes be implemented in the farm.

It has been concluded that good production results can be obtained in organic pig

production. In relation to health, problems concerning control of endoparasites may occur,

whereas lung health normally is very good. In relation to feeding of finishers, it is important to

be aware of the risk of reduced fat quality if the diet includes more oil seed as protein source

because of difficulties in using soybean meal (no GMO, no use of chemical solvents). It is also

important to be aware of a reduced tenderness of the meat for finishers fed too restrictively. In

relation to housing of finishers, systems established as a combination of a barn and an outdoor

run give the possibility of obtaining very good production results and animal welfare. However,

since the overall housing area needed for such systems is considerable, the costs of production

are high and there seems to be a need for development of less capital-intensive systems. In

relation to sows there is a need to establish systems where an effective reproduction can be

obtained given the fact that weaning takes place at approximately seven weeks. In addition, there

is a need to develop new grazing systems where the risk of environmental problems has been

reduced.

Conversion of existing herd of pigs

Pigs that are managed under traditional or conventional ways can never achieve organic

status. They can never be sold as organic product. However, non-organic sows can produce

organic young stock when managed under appropriate conversion period. Non-organic sows are
referred to as converted breeding stock. In order to grow an organic piglet, a sow must be

managed to full organic standards including housing conditions, animal nutrition, and animal

breeding as well as animal care, disease prevention, and veterinary treatment. After this, piglets

are born as organic on organic land. Piglets are raised and kept to full organic standards

throughout their life in order to sell them as organic.

The land best for organic pig production is the area with a low rainfall of about less than

800mm. Flat area is not necessary although it is an advantage for farrowing sows. Slopy sites and

those areas recorded with heavy or high rainfall can lead to problems with soil erosion and

animal welfare. Availability of water should also be considered during conversion of farms to

organic methods. Pigs should have an unlimited access to water especially during hot periods in

order to protect pigs from heat stress and sunburn. Studies recommend a rotational grazing for

organic pigs. Pigs are not allowed to graze or stay on the same piece of land. With this rotational

requirement, a large amount of area is needed for organic pig production.

Organic pig production is labor intensive thus competent workers are needed in running

the farm. Also, when venturing in this enterprise always make sure of the market.

Methodology

Before engaging or converting or shifting from traditional or conventional way of pig

production to organic farming, many factors have to be considered. Among these are the land,

production system, labor units, management systems, and niche markets. Also, one has to

consider the breeds of the pigs to raise.

Organic pig production is very small as compared to conventional farming thus only a

few literatures is available. There is a need to conduct researches and experiments. The
researches should include investigations on different genotypes of swine, feeding regimes and

feed utilization strategies, with assessment of their effects in health and welfare, reproduction

and meat quality.

Literature Cited

http://www.pig333.com/what_the_experts_say/pig_article/854/swine-production-in-the-
philippines-1/2-

http://www.thepigsite.com/articles/2666/philippines-livestock-and-products-2009

http://aces.nmsu.edu/academics/axed/documents/swine-production_martinez.pdf

http://www.ipic.iastate.edu/reports/99swinereports/asl-1679.pdf

http://organic.lovetoknow.com/Problems_that_Occur_When_Organic_Farming

http://www.american.com/archive/2008/june-06-08/the-problem-with-organic-food/

http://orgprints.org/197/1/Microsoft_Word_-_Organic_pig_production_systems_UK.pdf

http://www.agbio.ca/NewspaperArticles/na_organic_pig.asp

http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph/ofin/market%20files/landarea.htm