Farming systems perspectives: lessons for managing health risks in smallholder pig systems

1. 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

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

3. Actors in a typical pork value chain

4. The Farm System

5. A generalized Crop-Animal Farming Systems Model

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Common constraints in smallholder pig systems in the developing world

11. Common constraints in smallholder pig systems in the developing world

12. Health risk management in smallholder pig systems

13. 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 …

14. 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

15. 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