Pig Production in Gulu and Omoro Districts of Northern Uganda
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Date
2021
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Publisher
Stechnolock Veterinary Science
Abstract
The potential of pig production to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers is constrained by inadequate use of pig production technologies. Technologies like the use of artificial insemination (AI) to improve breeds have been suggested to improve pig production. Pig production in Northern Uganda, however, remains low suggesting limited use of such technologies. Three technologies (Indigenous Micro-organism (IMO) technology, artificial insemination and use of feed formula from dominant locally available feedstuffs) were introduced to the smallholder farmers in Gulu and Omoro districts of northern Uganda. Prior to implementation, however, it necessitated that the status of pig production among farmers be established against which the impact of the initiative to introduce these technologies will be assessed. This paper therefore aimed at determining the status of pig production in northern Uganda. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 109 purposively selected pig farmers recruited to participate in technology implementation. 59.6% were males, aged between 36-64 years (53.2%), married (78%), with household size of 7-9 members (42.2%), had attained primary education (58.7%) and had 1-5 acres of land (54.1%). The average herd size was 4.6 pigs with 67.4% farmers keeping local pigs. Piglets dominated the herds in both districts with 89% farmers keeping pigs as the main livestock species. Income generation was the primary reason for keeping pigs. Piggery was constrained by expensive feeding (82.6%) and diseases (47.7%). 93.6% farmers fed pigs on local feedstuffs with no definite formula, 59.6% housed their pigs but none used either artificial insemination or indigenous micro-organism technologies. In conclusion, there exists limited knowledge on, and use of the three technologies. There is therefore need to train farmers on these technologies and later assess their acceptance and adoption, and their impact on status of pig production.
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Keywords
Artificial insemination, livelihoods, Indigenous Micro-organisms, Local Feed Formula
Citation
Kasima JS, Mugonola B and Ndyomugyenyi EK (2021) Pig Production in Gulu and Omoro Districts of Northern Uganda.. Stechnolock Vet Sci 1:1-9