MAYORGA, LEYTE - The silence of empty pig pens told the story of loss in Mayorga, Leyte, where a farmer association saw its livelihood collapse because of the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak. What had once been a viable enterprise was turned to uncertainty, leaving members deciding to look for another source of income.
For years, backyard hog raising had been the livelihood for most of the members of Productive Iraya Kagingkingon Farmers Association (PIKFA)—providing steady income, sustaining families, and anchoring their role in the local economy. But an animal disease outbreak and sudden mortality wiped out their swine in October last year, leaving members uncertain of their future.
The Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) stepped in, releasing Php78,300.00 in indemnity to cover the losses. The payout was more than just financial relief; it was a recognition of the hardship endured and a bridge toward recovery.
Yet, the group understood that survival meant more than compensation. The amount could ease immediate burdens, but it could not restore the lost animals, nor guarantee stability in the face of recurring risks.
Faced with this reality, the association members gathered to discuss alternatives, weighing risks and opportunities. Their answer lay in the land itself: vegetable farming. Unlike swine production, which required significant capital and carried high risks of disease, vegetable crops offered quicker returns, lower costs, and a steady demand in local markets.
Last June 2025, PIKFA association was initially provided with nine (9) gilts, along with feeds, biologics, and training on swine production. However, the gilts were later affected by ASF, preventing the group from continuing their swine enterprise.
The group allocated funds from the PCIC to begin land preparation for vegetable gardening, aiming to sustain farm operations and generate income. To facilitate this initiative, the SAAD Program provided vegetable seeds and other essential inputs, while ensuring continuous monitoring in partnership with the Municipal Agriculture Office. Complementary training on vegetable production will also be conducted to strengthen their new livelihood venture.
They began cultivating eggplant, ampalaya, string beans, and leafy greens—crops that could be harvested within a few weeks and sold fresh in the locality. The shift was not only practical but empowering. Families had access to nutritious food, and surplus harvests provided income to keep farm operations afloat.
However, the transition to vegetable farming was not without challenges. Members had to learn new techniques, adjust to seasonal cycles, and manage pests and soil fertility. But their collective spirit carried them through. Other than asking for technical assistance from LGU and SAAD personnel, they pooled resources and worked together.
Between August to December last year, the group was able to generate Php4,925.00 net income from their first cropping season.
“Mayda gihapon kami malinaw nga plano para ha tidaraon. Kon ma-clear na an amon lugar ngan kon tagan na kami katugutan, amon padayonon utro an pag-aalaga hin baboy, partikularmente para ha fattening, basi magamit utro namon an amon tangkal ngan maipadayon an intensyon nga amo an orihinal nga katuyoan han proyekto. Maghuhulat kami han tama nga panahon ngan padayon nga mag-aandam para hit amon kaupayan,” shared PIKFA President Joean B. Beto.
[We still have a clear plan for the future. Once our area is cleared from ASF and we are granted permission, we will resume raising pigs, particularly for fattening, so that we can make use of our pigpens again and continue with the original purpose of the project. We will wait for the right time and continue preparing for our progress.]
As of now, the group members are preparing the garden plots for their first cropping season this year, with plans to cultivate eggplant and ampalaya.
In Mayorga, Leyte, the silence of empty pig pens may have marked the end of one chapter for the farmers but it also paved the beginning of another. By turning loss into opportunity, PIKFA proved that farming is more than raising swine or planting crops—it is about cultivating perseverance, resilience, and hope.###
Source: Judy Ann Bernales, PPMSO Leyte
Writer: Jessica Alvero, Information Officer II