THE Department of Agriculture

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said it is thinking about rabbit as an opportunity to pork among backyard raisers, mentioning the shorter increase cycle of the animal than that of pigs tormented by the outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) within the united states.

On the sidelines of the International Farmers Summit Philippines 2020 in Pasay City,
Agriculture Secretary William Dar advised reporters that at the same time as the DA become searching at chicken as the primary opportunity to hogs, the corporation become additionally reading the production of rabbit, for the reason that many hog farmers have expressed discouragement on elevating pigs due to ASF.

“We are extreme. All alternatives are on the table. It’s part of a basket of options,” Dar stated.“Nagbigay na kami ng ayuda in terms of kung ano yung gustong livelihood or employer ng mga naapektuhan but ayaw muna nila ng hog elevating. (We already furnished aid in terms of what livelihood or business enterprise the affected farmers need however they don’t need hog elevating for the period in-between) With this development we should now study commodities that can replacement kung bababa pa yung beef supply (if pork deliver will cross down),” he defined.

Dar stated the DA turned into optimistic on rabbit farming “because the growth cycle may be very quick. You can amplify extra when you have a shorter growth cycle.”

The Agriculture leader also mentioned the nutritional advantages of eating rabbit meat, compared to others including beef and beef.

“It’s also excessive in protein. Parang manok din (It’s like fowl),” he stated.

Typically associated with chook, rabbit meat changed into listed by means of the US’ Department of Agriculture (USDA) to be a few of the healthiest meats to be had, even though it has no longer been extensively to be had within the Philippine market. It has a excessive percentage of effortlessly digestible protein, offers a huge variety of minerals, and carries the least quantity of fat amongst all of the different available meats.

However, studies confirmed that prolonged intake of handiest rabbit meat dangers hunger or protein poisoning or toxicity, therefore, ingesting it with moderation is exceptionally recommended.

Cultured rabbits are typically discovered in Bulacan, Dar stated, noting that the province is taken into consideration to be a first-rate area for rabbit elevating.

When searched for a comment, Eugenio Mende, president of Philippine Veterinary Drug Association, admitted that the government was certainly “searching at other alternatives.”

However, he expressed doubts that the local market and Filipino purchasers will easily welcome rabbit meat.

“Sabi nila (They said) it tastes like hen but to directly convert from beef to rabbit, baka hindi ganun kabilis (it may not be that speedy). But we’re searching ahead to growing possibilities for other sources of meat,” Mende said.