Farming systems perspectives: lessons for
managing health risks in smallholder pig
systems
Danilo A. Pezo and Charles Waiswa
Managing Risks in Emerging Pork Markets: An International South –
South Symposium
Hanoi, 23- 25 April 2012
Makerere University

Contents
1.Actors in the value chain
2. The farm system
3. Smallholder pig production systems
4. Managing health risks in smallholder
pig systems

ACTORS IN A TYPICAL PORK VALUE
CHAIN
Inputs and Post-farm
Services Live-pig traders
Pig breeder
Farm Transporters
Vet / Animal Prod Systems: Slaughterers
extensionists Free range scavenging Pork Butchers
Agrovet / feed shop Tethered Pork processors- large
owners and medium
Semi-intensive
Feed manufacturers and Supermarkets/
suppliers Intensive restaurants
Transporters- feed Consumers

The Farm System

A generalized
Crop-Animal
Farming
Systems Model

FREE RANGE SCAVENGING PIGS
 Free movement around the homestead, to collect feed.
Sometimes supplemented with kitchen refusals and
crop residues
 Conflicts with neighbors because of damages to crops
and environment
 Exposed to adverse climatic conditions and predators
 High incidence of diseases and mortality
 Local breeds commonly used
 Low investment and low output (poor growth rates)
 “Savings account” or “insurance policy” household
strategy

TETHERED PIGS
 Restricted movement prevents damage to crops
 Noise and odor could disturb the owners and neighbors
 Exposed to adverse climatic conditions and predators
 Rope may cause injures to the pigs
 High incidence of diseases and mortality
 Require more labor than free range scavenging
systems
 Low investment and low output (poor growth rates)
 “Savings account” or “insurance policy” household
strategy

Semi-intensive pig systems
 Confined to a limited space (pen)
 Feeds have to be provided
 Exposed to adverse climatic conditions, although could
have a simple shade to reduce heat stress
 Floor usually muddy and dirty
 Drainage and management of excreta usually a
problem
 High incidence of diseases
 Crossbred animals could be used
 Demand low financial inputs, but more labor and
technical knowledge are required

INTENSIVE PIG SYSTEMS
 Confined to a limited space (pen)
 Feeds have to be sourced by the farmer
 Well protected from extreme environmental conditions
 Better hygiene and sanitation
 Excreta could be better managed (biogas, manure
collection)
 Lower incidence of diseases
 Crossbred and purebred animals are the choice
 Better animal performance
 Higher investment in corrals, and higher demands for labor
(management and feeding) and technical knowledge
 A high input/high output system
 Requires regular and easy access to markets

COMMON CONSTRAINTS IN SMALLHOLDER PIG
SYSTEMS IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD
Human and Cultural Capitals
Feeds and feeding (Seasonality, poor
quality of feeds)
Disease control measurements (parasites,
viral & bacterial infections)
Genetics & breeding (Inbreeding, poor
quality animals)
Husbandry and management (deficient
corrals, if available)
Poor management of excreta (leads to
social conflicts)

Common constraints in smallholder
pig systems in the developing world
Social & Financial Capitals
Technology transfer biased to male family heads,
but in most farms is an activity managed by
women
Poor access to information services
(technology, markets)
Limited knowledge on diseases and associated
risks
Limited organizational strategies to achieve
economies of scale
Limited access to credit
Largely ignored by policymakers

HEALTH RISK MANAGEMENT IN SMALLHOLDER
PIG SYSTEMS
Inputs and
Services Farm Post-farm

INTERVENTIONS AT FARM LEVEL
 Participatory assessment of health risks
 Participatory design and implementation of a
health risk management strategy
 Avoid free range scavenging systems, by promoting
partial/total confinement
 Hygiene control in pig corrals
 Implement a basic disease prevention program
(vaccination, deworming, etc.)
 Promote latrine construction and utilization
Continues …

Interventions at Farm Level
… Cont.
 Increase awareness on:
 Impact of diseases on productivity and economic
performance of pig farming
 How proper management practices could contribute to
reduce/control food-borne diseases
 Potential impacts of zoonotic diseases at the farm
household, as well as at other levels of the value chain
 Policies and regulations on food safety, emphasizing on
surveillance and reporting

International Livestock Research Institute
Better lives through livestock
Animal agriculture to reduce poverty, hunger and
environmental degradation in developing countries
ILRI
www.ilri.org
Makerere University