By Stube HEMAT Multiplication in Sumba

The ASF virus outbreak caused multi-dimensional impacts, not only devastating the pig population in Sumba but also cutting off economic resources and causing trauma for pig farmers to restart. It must be admitted that the demand for pork supply is still high, but the availability is limited so that the price goes up. This situation has attracted the attention of various parties, including the Multiplication of Stube HEMAT in Sumba which focuses on pigs farms by continuing to strengthen members group through various activities to encourage motivation, increase knowledge and strengthen networks among farmers, livestock marketing, academics, and the government through the East Sumba livestock service. The regular meeting was held on Saturday, August 21, 2021, in Paddi village, Nggaha Ori Angu, where twenty-seven members of the pig farmers under the coordination of Apriyanto Hangga, the Multiplicator of Stube HEMAT in Sumba in the field of pig farming, conducted member strengthening through the material presentation, discussion, and question & answer.

Daniel Gabriel Lado, A.Md.Pet., the resource person, told the current condition of pigs in East Sumba after the ASF attack. It must be admitted that the availability of pork is low and unable to meet the demand. Economically, the imbalance of supply and demand has pushed prices up, even if compared to last year, the increase could be doubled. In addition, the virus attack has also traumatized the community to raise pigs again. In the presentation, the resource person gave encouragement and reinforcement, based on the experience, he said that farmers should not be afraid of the virus, but must have a strong belief that the virus can be defeated and must remain optimistic in raising pigs because it is an inseparable part of people's lives in Sumba. Besides having enthusiasm, the pig farmers must have complete knowledge to raise pigs. So this community is needed because it assists farmers to continue to learn and improve their knowledge.

Some basic notes on raising pigs, such as (1) Sterilization of cage; sterilization of cages is crucial, we must change the traditional pattern of raising a pig to modern with a cage system and carry out routine cleaning, install air circulation and avoid the reach of other animals. (2) Vaccination and vitamins are carried out periodically so that the immune system of the livestock becomes stronger. (3) Provision of quality food means clean and nutritious food, (4) Attention and care, continuous and sustainable attention to livestock is important to know the development of livestock so that they can anticipate if there are symptoms of the disease.

He continued that pigs are now relatively safe because the ASF virus has been successfully suppressed with vaccines and changes in the way of farming, as proved by this time there is no report of the remaining pigs getting sick and dying. In addition, the real conditions that occurred in several other areas affected by the virus, in Nias, North Sumatra, Bangli, Bali. Timor and Flores, NTT are all relatively safe and they are starting to move again. Including government regulations in the form of a ban on inter-island traffic for pigs has been lifted and the trade of pigs between islands has been reopened. Therefore, the resource person invited the community, especially the discussion participants, to be a resource person in the community to tell the good news so that pig farmers are not afraid to raise pigs, but must breed and be brave to start instead.

Changes in the behavior of raising pigs are required, starting from a strong will and being equipped with complete knowledge, we can face challenges in raising pigs and get satisfactory results. Starting from a pig that is released in the field to being penned, from one pig and gradually increase in number if the situation improves and finally, the economic welfare of the community is increasing.