Dr. John Roel Hilario, Veterinary Quarantine Station Officer, discusses the disease containment implementation in the Region.
BAROTAC NUEVO, Iloilo – "Need of the time," ATI Region 6’s Center Director Mary Ann Ramos underscored the importance of biosecurity following the African Swine Fever outbreak in the region. Noting that the livelihoods of numerous backyard swine raisers are primarily affected; subsequently, 90% of pork supply comes from this sector.
"Most of our swine producers come from small-holding farms and are more vulnerable than commercial farms with stricter implementation of biosecurity," Ramos added.
Conceptualized in 2022, the Training Course on Farm Biosecurity aims to capacitate Agricultural Extension Workers (AWEs) of farm etiquettes and identify biosecurity best practices to minimize the risk of spreading disease.
Participants brainstorm on the Biosecurity Assesment Workshop.
The training included a series of workshops on biosecurity with the assistance of the Bureau of Animal Industry – Veterinary Quarantine Services and Iloilo Provincial Veterinarian's Office. The workshops aimed to capacitate the AEWs in assessing biosecurity levels in their respective municipalities and to help them create recommendations to avoid and contain the spread of disease.
Field visit to the Swine Multiplier and Techno-Demo Farm in Bingawan, Iloilo, was also part of the program. As an output of the workshops, the participants assessed the farm's biosecurity and give recommendations for areas of improvement.
The discussions also covered the application and procedures of effective micro-organisms (EM) and chemical disinfectants. They were supplemental lectures on developing bio-secured farms.
Group photo of Iloilo AEWs together with Dr. Wendy Degillo, Veterinarian IV of ProVet-Iloilo, Mary Ann Ramos, ATI Center Director, and the Training Management Staff.
"We thank ATI for the opportunity to attend this training. Our respective municipalities can expect us to be more vigilant and knowledgeable in implementing biosecurity," Rey Mark Parreno, a participant, shared in the group discussion.
The Training Course on Farm Biosecurity occurred at Ina Farmers Learning Site and Agri-Farm on March 6-8, 2024.
