The Ilocos Norte government is calling on interested farmers to venture into goat and poultry farming to boost food sufficiency in the province.

Except for goats and poultry, the Provincial Agriculture Office has reported a more than 100 percent sufficiency level in terms of food production in the province.

The Provincial Veterinary Office urged Ilocano hog raisers previously hit by the African swine fever (ASF) to adopt livestock production alternatives while the province is still in the process of being declared ASF-free.

Through the provincial government’s “Agri Ka Dito” program, eligible farmers are given goats, sheep, and chicks to boost their livelihood in these trying times.

“Currently, we are producing more than what we consume except for goat at 78 percent and poultry at 49 percent sufficiency level,” Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc said Thursday.

While the swine disease is not yet completely eradicated, provincial veterinarian Loida Valenzuela said in an interview that ASF-affected farmers are being provided with alternative means of profitable farming methods, such as goat, sheep, cattle, and poultry production.

At present, some of the municipalities previously affected by the ASF have been upgraded to “pink (buffer) zones” but most hog raisers are still hesitant to resume business.

Of the 16 towns and cities in Ilocos Norte that were previously affected by the ASF, only Bangui remains under the red zone, pending clearance from government authorities. (PNA)