Abstract:
A survey to characterize pig production systems was carried out
among pig farmers in Embu West Sub County in Kenya. Data was
collected through observations, photography and structured
questionnaires administered to 104 pig rearing households. Majority
(63.3%) kept between 1 to 4 pigs. About 85% utilised family labour
with 70% of the households having between 2 to 5 members. Large
White was the main breed type (65.4%). Breeding stock was mainly
sourced locally from other farmers (95.2%). All farmers practiced
intensive mixed production system. Main production challenges were
lack of high quality breeding stock (95.2%), feeding (95%), housing
(88%) and diseases and pests (84%). Majority (92.3%) slaughtered
and sold pork locally. About 40.4% and 10.6% of the pig farmers
were members to Saccos and table banking groups respectively. Other
livestock kept include; poultry, mostly free range (97.1%), cattle,
mainly for dairy (93.3%), shoats (16.3%) and fish (1.0%).
