Canon Ezra Bataka explains how he keeps hygiene on his piggery in Rukungiri District. PHOTO FILE
Pig farming is a critical source of livelihood for many Ugandans and plays a significant role in the country’s food security. Despite its importance, the industry faces serious challenges—chief among them is African Swine Fever (ASF), a devastating disease that severely hampers pig production and threatens the sustainability of pig farming in Uganda.
ASF is endemic in Uganda and remains a major constraint to pig production. The disease poses a severe risk not only to farmers’ incomes but also to national food security. As no vaccine or cure currently exists, prevention through strict biosecurity measures is the most effective way to manage and contain outbreaks. As such veterinary scientist’s advice that for farmers to achieve better output in pig farming, it is important to adopt best practices of observing biosecurity and nutrition.
Figures
Uganda is one of the highest pork-consuming countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with per capita pork consumption projected at 3.4 kilogrammes by 2024. However, the care for the pig farm is largely informal and done by smallholder farmers with herd sizes typically ranging between 2 and 20 pigs. The national pig herd in Uganda was estimated to be 7.1 million in 2021. The pig density is highest in central Uganda constituting 41.1 percent of the national pig herd, followed by the western region 24.4 percent, eastern region 22 percent and northern Uganda 12.5 percent. Despite the growth in the pig industry, African swine fever remains a major constraint to pig production in Uganda where it is endemic and is a threat to food security and sustainable livelihoods.
Biosecurity measures
In a hand book by Food and agriculture organisation for best biosecurity practices farmers can adopt, it is listed as below. The booklet emphasises that the primary role of biosecurity is to act as a prevention barrier, stopping disease from entering the farm. Should disease make its way onto the farm, however, biosecurity then acts as a protection barrier, stopping the spread of the disease among animals in the herd. In diseases like FMD, which does not have a high mortality rate, biosecurity measures are equally important.
FMD can result in reduced production, compromised feed intake and decreased feed conversion efficiency, causing massive economic losses for farmers. Other conditions, such as porcine parvovirus, can lead to reproductive issues, resulting in reduced litter sizes and increased rates of stillbirths. Farmers are advised not to allow visitors in a pig farm without prior permission, meaning there must be a functioning fence around the perimeter of the farm and there is a sign indicating restricted access or security dog at the entrance. The pigs must be confined at all times and should not be free roaming, meaning keep them indoors is the best decision.
There should be no contact between pigs and other animals such as poultry, dogs, crows, and goats to avoid spread of diseases. Ensure there is a changing area for the workers at the pig pen entrance which is lockable. Farmers must change their overcoat and boots before entering pens. Segregate pigs by age groups because mixing different age groups of pigs can predispose to fighting, trauma and stress. Injuries predispose animals to infection. Ensure there is good housing structure with ventilators for good aeration to the animals and there must be good source of water for them.
Farmers must ensure there is clean farm area where the waste matter is cleaned all the time and dissect at all times. Ensure there is safe feeding and proper feed storage and prudent use of veterinary drugs in case of disease infection. When there is a sign of the animals getting sick, farmers must purchase recommended drugs prescribed by the veterinary doctor. By adhering to these stringent standards, farms can protect themselves from disease outbreaks and gain access to a broader market. Certified pig farms, for example, are allowed to sell their pigs to certified abattoirs, a necessary step for meeting national and international export standards.
Pig growth and health
While biosecurity protects pigs from external threats, nutrition fuels their growth and productivity. Pigs’ nutritional requirements are highly specific, and feeding them correctly is key to realising their genetic potential. It is emphasised in the guide that farmers must adopt creep feeding for young piglets from 7 days onwards. Good feed is necessary for growth, body maintenance and the production of meat and milk. Farmers can use locally available feeds that are less expensive, but can be nutritionally complete when properly prepared. Pigs can be fed well, using only kitchen scraps from a family’s household. The nutritional needs of pigs can be divided into six categories or classes. These are water, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals. Pigs can be fed on vegetable, fruit or bread scraps that have been not in contact with animal products or by-products if they are properly cooked.
Advice
Distillery waste is much appreciated in the traditional pig husbandry, especially for fattening pigs. It is advisable however, not to give this high valued feed to pregnant and lactating sows and to piglets’ weaners because of the alcohol contents in the waste.
