Pigs are worth the cost

Pork is second only to beef in terms of meat production in Uganda, recent statistics from Food and Agriculture Organisation show.
At the Seeds of Gold farm clinic scheduled for August 26 at the Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK), experts such as Dr Stephen Lwasa, an agricultural economist and lecturer at Makerere University will tip farmers on how to make the most of this enterprise.
According to Esther Nakajubi, the Programmes Officer at Nagric Farm in Entebbe, pig rearing requires proper management.
Best breeds
Nakajubi lists a few of the best pig breeds such as camborough, a landra and large white among others. Dr Lwasa, recommends camborough as one of the fastest growing breed for commercial farmers.
He says, “Exotic breeds grow faster however, the local ones have very good meat and are cheaper to feed. They are also resistant to diseases hence very little may be invested in them.”
“The feeding and nutrition is a major determinant in improving the performance of pigs in fallowing or birthing good pig breeds. Grains, forages, damaged grains, garbage are the recommended feed stuffs for pigs,” explains Nakajubi.
These feeds are easily accessed from home wastes which are affordable for mostly rural farmers as less or no money is spent on feeds.
However, most of these left overs (food) are often exposed to worms which are one of the major infestations in pigs.

Major diseases
Farmers she adds should regularly deworm their pigs after every two or three weeks depending on the worm burden in feeds.
“Other than worm infestations, the other major diseases in pigs include; African swine fever, swine elispelas, piglet scores, swine dysentery, and ampiquellete anemia among other pig related illnesses,” lists Nakajubi.
These diseases she says can be remedied through regular vaccinations as best administered by a veteran doctor.
African swine fever being the most deadly disease affecting pigs. According to Dr Lwasa, hygiene on the farm should be observed to avoid African swine fever.
“The swine disease wipes out the piggery within hours. However, other illnesses such as diarrhea and mange which causes itching can be managed,” he confirms.
Nakajubi also recommends best farm practices before and after one can accommodate pigs in their particular pen houses, a way to reduce the risk of diseases in pigs.
Best practices
Proper housing being one of the major best practices on the farm may require small investment on buildings and equipment in terms of size and structure. According to Nakajubi, different sects in pen housing are accorded to particular purposes when it comes to pigs.
She says, “For a mother and her piglets, one should set up a 3 by 2.5metre room. When it comes to a boar which is a male pig, a 3 by 4meter room will work best for adequate mounting room.”
Nakajubi also recommends 3 by 3 metre housing for groups of weaning piglets.
Other best practices in piggery she adds include proper nutrition.
“Ensure a clean environment for the pigs by installing a foot bath with disinfectant to reduce the risk of diseases from human to the herd as some workers and farm visitors may carry germs,” emphasizes Dr. Lwasa.
Apart from mixed feeds, Dr. Lwasa recommends free grazing for pigs to avail them with a balanced diet and enough water for efficient disease control.

Breed costs and market
According to Dr Lwasa, one ought to find market for his piglets ahead of time as it is more profitable to sell piglets as opposed to mature pigs which are costly to buyers in the long run as it is easy to raise piglets that mature fast.
While picking out pigs, as much as the breed type may matter, one ought to consider the mothering ability of the pig suggests Nakajubi.
“If the female pig produces 14 piglets, it should be able to wean at least 10 of them to increase chances of the farmer making money from one fallow. A pig is mature enough for sell at about seven to eight months,” she adds.
The more mature a pig is she reveals, the higher the market price. “The camborough is sold at about shs300, 000.”