Advantages

3.1. Why use FBT.  

The system can be used by smallholder farmers to rear pigs that produces high quality pork. It is  suited for intensive management of pigs in a housed structure throughout the year; and can be  used to:  

•  Breed Sows and Boars to produce weaners for sale (farrow to wean) 

•  Breed Sows and Boars to grow weaners for market (farrow to finish) 

•  Grow purchased weaners for market (wean to finish of feeder pigs) 

•  A mixture of all three products above.  

It is climate-smart and environmentally friendly method of pork production. It exploits biological activity of microorganisms that decompose cellulose and lignin in the bedding materials (twigs,  crop straws, saw dust, wood shavings, rice or corn husks etc.), into simple organic compounds and  generates warmth suitable for prime pork production. 

Key features of FBT

1. Basic structural requirements: Barn design similar to conventional system with the addition of a deep pit. Good ventilation and air movement essential.
   Key benefits: Simple structure results in low  construction and labour costs.

2. Deep pit floor: Each finishing pig requires 1.5–2.0  square metres litter-bed space at a 25- 50cm depth.
   Key benefits: Urine and faeces is treated in the pen, eliminating the need for treatment elsewhere and producing good quality compost.

3. Manipulatable bedding material: Corn stalk topped with wood shavings  (directly from wood, not furniture) and rice hulls or chopped corn cobs are recommended. Material added to ensure the water content of litter remains <40% and bedding is kept at a depth of 25–50cm.  All bedding to be replaced every 3–5  years.
   Key benefits: Provision of sufficient bedding material helps avoid problematic behaviours such as tail biting and generation of wastewater and odour. Dry bedding provides a comfortable, clean environment.  No daily washing is required, thus water usage and labor are reduced.

4. Microbial activity: Regular addition of a bacterial mixture to litter to obtain correct temperature for composting manure and for pathogen removal.
   Key benefits: A high temperature is maintained,  reducing or eliminating the need for a fat layer below the skin. 

Adapted from Sheen, 2005:. http://www.thepigsite.com/articles/3464/pigs-the-deeplitter solution/

3.2. The advantages of the fermented bed technology.  

FBT offers many benefits but the core ones are: 

1. FBT is highly environment friendly. It enables you rear pigs in a clean environment where there are no flies and bad smell. It is a simple and efficient way to turn both manure and urine into  finished rich compost for improving soil fertility. The absorbent bedding, when healthy and designed accurately, can actively breakdown all pig waste thus significantly decreasing odor and fly populations.  

2. It is a cheap and effective way to rear clean and healthy pigs that give high-quality pork. The bedding creates an immense amount of heat (approximately 600C) as the plant materials breakdown and decompose. This helps the pigs stay warm during cold weather and minimizes accumulation of fatty later below the skin which normally undermines pork quality.  

3. It also allows for natural behaviors such as rooting by pigs; it helps prevent the outbreak of disease; improves pigs immunity; reduces urine and manure disposal, minimizes frequent cleaning and the need for disinfection. Further, the construction of the housing structure can be cheap and low technology. The structure can also be used for alternative enterprises such as poultry rearing. 

What other farmers say about the FBT 

Members of Kiwendi Farmer’s Society, Lwampanga Sub County, Nakasongola district  emphasized that they have greatly appreciated the following aspects of the FBT:  

1. Superiority of the technology. The group is fascinated by the fast growth exhibited by the pigs when they are cared for properly. 

2. Disease free environment created. They appreciated the fact that using IMO created a  disease free environment. This was supported by revelation that pigs in the neighborhood died while the ones at the center were not attacked at all. 

3. A low-cost technology system. The farmers noticed the simple requirements needed to  maintain the system. It required regular sprinkling of IMO, turning the litter and weighing the pigs once a week to determine their growth and feed requirements. 

4. Time-saving way of rearing pigs. The recommended split serving of equal feed in the morning and evening created time for other activities between the feeding times. This attribute was particularly advantageous for the women. There was no need to fetch water from far to clean the house.