9.77 Million Pigs in Backyard Farms in the Philippines
In the Philippines millions of pregnant sows are confined in gestation crates, narrow metal enclosures barely larger than their bodies, throughout their entire pregnancy. These crates prevent them from turning around, walking, or engaging in natural behaviors, causing severe welfare and health issues.
Our Solution is Group Housing for Pregnant Sows
We propose a practical, cost-effective shift from gestation crates to preimplantation group housing, where sows are:
Confined for no more than 7 days post-breeding; and
Moved to group pens for the remainder of pregnancy
Why Group Housing?
In group housing systems, sows can move, socialize, and engage in natural behaviors;
Research shows no negative impact on pregnancy rates or litter size in group housing systems;
In group housing systems have lower long-term costs and reduced stress-related reproductive losses;
In group housing systems, sows can have enhanced health that reduces vulnerability to ASF and other diseases; and
More countries are shifting away from gestation crates and transition to group housing systems.
Our approach is empowering producers and stakeholders to Build Back Better for pigs
Asia Farming Solutions is leading the Build Back Better Campaign to support producers and key stakeholders to adopting group housing.
-
In the Philippines pig farms continue to rely on gestation crates, yet there is limited data on how widespread these systems are and what challenges farmers face in transitioning to higher-welfare alternatives.
Our organization will conduct scoping studies across key farming regions to assess the feasibility of transitioning to group housing. By visiting farms, interviewing stakeholders, and analyzing industry conditions, we aim to identify barriers, opportunities, and practical solutions. These findings will not only inform our strategy but also provide valuable insights for policymakers and industry players working toward more sustainable and high-welfare farming.
-
We will work directly with pig farmers to help them transition from gestation crates to preimplantation group housing. Our approach focuses on collaboration, ensuring that farmers receive the training, technical support, and resources needed for a successful shift.
Through workshops, farm visits, and peer learning opportunities, we will educate producers on the benefits of group housing, including improved sow welfare, reduced stress-related injuries, and long-term economic advantages. We will also support pilot programs and demonstration farms to showcase successful transitions, building industry confidence in higher-welfare systems.
-
Policy support and financial incentives are essential for scaling industry-wide change. We will engage with government agencies to advocate for financial assistance programs, training initiatives, and regulatory reforms that facilitate the transition to group housing.
By connecting producers with government-backed resources, such as grants, loans, and infrastructure support, we aim to remove financial and logistical barriers, making crate-free systems a viable and attractive option for more farms.
