Some residents in Pampanga try rabbit meat as an alternative to pork as its price continues to increase due to African Swine Fever (ASF) that affected pork supply in the country.
According to the website livestrong.com, rabbit meat is lean, tasty, and full of protein.
The DA had earlier said it saw a possible alternative in the event of a shortage in pork supply.
The Tuazon family of Brgy. Sta. Lucia in the city of San Fernando has already converted their former piggery into a rabbit hub.
“Madami nang pumupunta dito. May pumupunta na from Ilocos, from the northern area, Tarlac, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Metro Manila, Paranaque. ‘Yan pumupunta na rin dito nagtatanong kung meron kasi dun sa area nila wala na din, wala na silang maproduce,” said Kevin Dizon Tuazon, a rabbit raiser.
He encourages many to try rabbit farming as well because apart from being easy to care for, they only need cages and weeds, and there’s a quick return on investment.
“Sa isang cycle (breeding cycle) pa lang, nabawi na namin ang puhunan namin. So lahat ng pumapasok ngayon, mostly income na,” he said.
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Rabbit meat becomes an alternative to pork in Pampanga
Today, the supply of rabbit meat in the market is still low so its sales remain at P380-400 pesos per kilo. But as the number of rabbit breeders increases, its price would decrease.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture is in contact with Vietnam for trials of African swine fever (ASF) vaccines.
In a presser on Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said that there is also a vaccine against ASF in Vietnam and they are already in contact with the country to have a trial here in the Philippines.
One reason for the shortage of pork supply is the impact of ASF in the Philippines, which according to hog raisers has affected their businesses, even the price of pork in some markets.
According to Dar, about 500,000 pigs have been culled or killed due to ASF, and backyard hog raisers are most affected.