Appraisal Of Indigenous Pig Procution And Management Practices In Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to obtain baseline data on pig production and management practices in Rivers State, Nigeria. This study utilized a structural questionnaire administered to 300 household pig farmers that were randomly selected from 5 communities in 2 local government areas (LGAs) of Rivers State. The data generated included socioeconomic characteristics of respondents and pig production parameters. The data collected were analysed by descriptive statistics such as mean standard deviation and percentages. The results showed the influence of some socioeconomic variables on pig production. Over 85% of the respondents acquired their foundation stock from the open markets, whereas some got theirs from neighbours' herds. Grains, agroindustrial and household wastes were the major sources of animal feeds. There was a very low awareness level for the use of commercial feeds. The survey results indicated that the main disease problems reported by the respondents were helminthoses, cough, diarrhoea and skin diseases, mainly sarcoptic mange and lice infestation. The number of weaned piglet/sow/year was highest for intensive system followed by semiintensive and extensive systems, having the least number of piglets per year. The pig producers were confronted with major production constraints such as disease incidence, high cost of feeds, high cost of conventional drugs and poor housing. The need for and means of improving pig production were highlighted.