The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Pig Production and Marketingin Cabiao, Nueva Ecija

Abstract

Pig production plays an essential role in the livelihood, especially in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija where pigs/livestock’s dominates. Pigs mainly produce financial goods and for hog farmers this has been better investment than savings in the bank. The outbreak of Covid-19 influenced the pig production in Cabiao and Nueva Ecija as a whole. It affected the supply of feeds and veterinary drugs that needed specifically for Pig production. Services provided by producers and hog farmers for livestock to maintain good health and to increase productivity in their hog farm also suffered as a result of restriction of movements to avoid contacting COVID-19. It has also impacted negatively on pricing and market availability for their live animals. This affected the overall pig production, meat sectors and marketing sectors. Increase in price of meat, Fear of pig production, Meat processing reduced due to lack of imported inputs such as unexpected close downs of restaurants and markets that used most meat products.  Pig production in Cabiao, Nueva Ecija has lots of prospects; therefore, there is a need to produce livestock sustainably in order to secure the future of the pig production business in Cabiao.