In the ancient Chinese system of writing, a hog depicted under a roof represented the idea of "home." This shows that even in early history, the hog was regarded as an essential item in the sustenance of the Chinese people. Today, raising hogs is a major industrial activity in the Republic of China as well as an invaluable side business for many farmers, and an important source of protein for the people.
In the Republic of China, hog farming is classified into four categories: A side-job for farmers (under 50 animals); a medium enterprise (up to 1,000 animals); a large-scale enterprise (up to 5,000), and an industrial enterprise (more than 5,000). In the agricultural sector, hog-farming is second only to rice in terms of income earned.
To protect the interests of the people in Taiwan, the bulk of more than 6 million hogs raised every year is reserved for the local market. Exports are further limited because Japan and other importing countries have adopted a protectionist policy toward Taiwan's frozen pork.
Rising demand for pork in Taiwan persuaded more and more farmers to take up this sideline. To prevent supply from outstripping demand, as happened in July last year, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of the Taiwan Provincial Government has warned farmers not to exceed the allotted quotas for raising the animals.
To protect the interests of small farmers raising hogs, the government has adopted contingency measures including restricting large-scale hog raisers to exporting their products, allowing free slaughter of hogs, lifting the hog slaughter tax, permitting manual as well as mechanized slaughter, and installing special stalls in markets to sell pork.
To enlarge the market for hogs, the government lifted a law restricting exports of pork, lowered the price of hog feed, and made efforts to popularize frozen pork. Large-scale and industrialized hog farmers were advised to reduce their holdings, or to slaughter livestock if supply outstrips the demand on the local market.
A general survey is held every four months to check the amount of hogs raised in Taiwan, and a US$28 million fund has been established to buy hogs from farmers if the price falls too low on the market. Pork acquired in this manner is frozen and released when demand rises.
Wu Cheng-ping, 31, a native of Mito village in Kaohsiung County in southern Taiwan, was recently named a model farmer for his success in raising hogs. A graduate of the Taiwan Provincial Taipei Institute of Technology, Wu tried his luck in the field of canned food, garments and frozen pork. After taking part in a two-week course held by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, at which specialists in the field of hog-raising gave lectures, Wu finally decided to devote himself to a career which would bring him fame and fortune in the future.
A US$2,800 loan from the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, combined with his own savings and a contribution from his father, enabled him to buy a 216,000 square foot piece of land on which he built hog pens and cottages, and started his farm in September 1978.
At the end of the first year, he had acquired some 200 animals, and he and his wife had become known for their stress on sanitation standards in hog farming. Besides washing the pens three times a day, the Wus sterilized each one before introducing a new batch of young pigs. Wu has laid in stocks of medicine to treat all kinds of hog diseases, including fever, chills, limb stiffness and digestive ailments. Vitamins are injected to ensure the hogs healthy growth.
Wu's diligence and dedication have enabled him to make a profit of US$22,000 a year, as well as win an honor which has set him up as a model to other young farmers.
[Picture Caption]
Wu Cheng-ping feeding his hogs, a three times a day ritual (opposite), enjoying his leisure time with his family (top), and a view of his clean hog pens.
Right: Members of Wu's family help out with his work. Opposite: One of Wu's children plays with a piglet.
Above: Wu inoculates a hog to protect it against disease; washes the hog pens and the hogs three times a day (right), and feeds the hogs (opposite).
enjoying his leisure time with his family （top.
and a view of his clean hog pens.
Members of Wu's family help out with his work. Opposite: One of Wu's children plays with a piglet.
Wu inoculates a hog to protect it against disease.
washes the hog pens and the hogs three times a day （right）, and feeds the hogs （opposite）.
washes the hog pens and the hogs three times a day （right）, and feeds the hogs （opposite）.
washes the hog pens and the hogs three times a day （right）, and feeds the hogs （opposite）.
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