A description of local pig feeding systems in village smallholder farms of Western Kenya

Abstract

We used face-to-face interviews to gather data on pig feeding practices in rural Busia District, Kenya. We visited 164 pig farms three times in the course of the study period. The pigs were weighed in kilograms during the visits. Feeds offered to pigs were described during the interviews. The most frequently fed feedstuffs were; ground maize or "ugali" (88%), kitchen leftovers (83%) and dried fish locally called "omena" (78%). Farmers provided pigs with water separately from the feeds. Sweet potatoes, "ugali" and cassava were available and could serve as good sources of energy for pigs in the district. Fruits and vegetables were also available and could potentially act as good sources of vitamins. Sweet potato vines, "omena" fish and slaughter blood were available and could provide pigs with proteins. The average daily gain (ADG) for pigs ≤ 5 months of age, pigs of 5.1-9.9 months of age and pigs of ≥ 10 months old was 94.5 (± 43), 127 (± 49.8) and 99 (± 92) g, respectively (p = 0.000). This study has outlined the different local pig feeds available in Busia district. We recommend two things: first, additional research on nutrient composition for the identified local feeds, and second, developing and validating simple local feed combinations that would achieve balanced local pig rations.

Nutrient composition and seasonal availability of local feedstuffs for pigs in western Kenya

“…Thirty-five locally available potential feedstuffs for pigs were identified by Mutua et al (2012) and Kagira et al (2010). Based on the scientific literature and interviews with local agriculture extension officers, these feedstuffs were ranked according to their appropriateness for widespread use for pigs considering their use as human food rather than feed, relative cost, palatability, zoonotic disease risk, anti-nutritional factors and toxins, and likelihood of widespread accessibility and adoption by pig keepers.…”

“…Pigs in western Kenya are generally fed inadequate diets because of high costs and seasonal shortages of appropriate feedstuffs (Kagira et al 2010;Mutua et al 2012). As a result, mean average daily gain of growing pigs on smallholder farms is low at 130920 g d…”

“…Although a variety of potential feedstuffs for pigs are available, there is insufficient knowledge of the feeding value of local feedstuffs (Mutua et al 2012). In properly formulated diets locally available feedstuffs may be used to meet nutrient requirements of pigs, improving pig growth performance and reducing feed costs.…”

Awareness concerning optimal pig production management and animal welfare among smallholder farmers in Tanzania

“…Similarly, smallholder farmers in Lao PDR commonly provided their pigs with feed twice a day, but underfeeding was often observed (Phengsavanh et al 2010). In a recent description of local feeding systems on smallholder farms in Kenya, pigs were fed once or twice a day, and water was provided separately with the food (Mutua et al 2012), which is comparable to Mbeya Region. Improved local feeds have been suggested to increase production output at the smallholder level (Lekule & Kyvsgaard 2003).…”

Reproductive and productive performances of crossbred Andaman local pigs under small holder production system at Bay Islands, India

“…In this system of pig rearing cost involved for feed was low. Several authors (Mutua et al, 2012;Carter et al, 2013) reported that it becomes popular and plays an important role in the livelihood of many families in rural villages of Western Kenya by practicing this type of feeding. In this report, pigs of the control groups showed better performances in respect of reproductive and productive performances indicating addition of easily digestible energy rich concentrate helps to increase the productivity.…”