1. Introduction
Pig production is an enterprise that provides small scale subsistence farmers with a clear opportunity for increased household income. It does not require large areas of land; at least 16m2 is needed to raise ten pigs using Deep Litter system or Fermented Bed Technology. The benefits of Deep Litter System or Fermented Bed Technology are many. Generally, it makes it possible for farmers to produce high quality pork more cheaply and in an environmental friendly way.
This manual has been prepared as a direct response to findings by a trans-disciplinary team of researchers from Africa Innovations Institute (AFRII) while implementing a three year Rockefeller Foundation funded project in Nakasongola and Nakaseke Districts entitled “Securing livelihoods in the cattle corridor of Uganda”. During the livelihood profiling of the communities in the two districts, it emerged that the community in the two districts were engaged in and interested in pig production but its full potential was not being realized as a result of the following challenges: reduced land for farming; poor breeds; traditional feeding and husbandry practices; infestation by worms and poor disease management; limited technical knowledge leading to in-breeding and slow growth rates; high worm infestation, and social conflicts between pig farmers and crop communities. They requested for help in addressing these challenges.
To address some of the above challenges and expectations for knowledge and information on improved pig farming practices, better markets and increased household incomes, AFrII constituted a team of researchers to produce this manual. It is meant to guide our farmers engaged in rearing of pigs using the Deep Liter System commonly known as Fermented Bed Technology (FBT). The manual contains only basic information and is in no way intended to be a comprehensive and authoritative document on the production of pigs. Users looking for in depth information are advised to look elsewhere to meet their needs.
Chapter one introduces the piggery industry in Uganda while chapter two is about considerations before starting a piggery enterprise. Chapter three focuses more on the Deep Liter System (DLS) or Fermented Bed Technology (FBT). Chapters four, five, six, seven and eight are about feeds and feeding management; management of pigs; health and disease control; good records keeping and pork quality and marketing respectively. Chapter nine is a case study on real life experience on starting a piggery enterprise.
It is my sincere hope that this manual shall make enormous contributions to building resilience of smallholder farmers and communities and securing their livelihoods against the impact of climate change; and to enable them enjoy increasing income and food security” in line with our vision.
I recommend this book to current and future generations of farmers with the keen interest in profitable commercial pig production using Fermented Bed Technology.
Prof. G.W Otim-Nape
Chairman/Africa Innovations Institute
We wish to recognize the efforts of the research team that implemented the project whose lessons and experiences are captured in this manual. This manual would be incomplete without the invaluable contribution of Prof. C. Rubaire Akiiki, Ms. Mukasa Beatrice, Byenek S Ogwal, Lutwama Vincent, Richard Lumu, myself and project support staff who in one way or the other contributed to the compilation of this manual. Special thanks go out to participating communities, the Local Governments and production staff of Nakaseke and Nakasongola Districts.
Drafting and technical editing of the manual has been done by S. Ogwal and W. Otim Nape respectively. This manual has been published with support from the Rockefeller Foundation. On behalf of Africa Innovations Institute, I would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the Foundation for their financial and technical support; and for a great service to humanity.
Professor Otim-Nape G.W. and Byenek Ogwal Simon
Africa Innovations Institute, Kampala, Uganda