Kagira John M, Kanyari Paul W N, Maingi Ndicho, Githigia Samuel M, Ng'ang'a J C, Karuga Julia W
Trypanosomiasis Research Centre-KARI, P.O. Box 362, Kikuyu, Kenya.
Trop Anim Health Prod. 2010 Jun;42(5):865-73. doi: 10.1007/s11250-009-9500-y. Epub 2009 Nov 15.
Free-range pig farming is common amongst the small-scale farmers in western Kenya. In order to determine the characteristics of this type of production system, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey on farm characteristics and management was collected from 182 farmers in Busia District. The mean farm size was one acre, while the mean number of pigs per farm was 3.6. Pigs were mainly kept as a source of income (98%) and majority were of cross breed variety (64%). The production systems included farrow to weaner (12%), porker to finisher (36%), and mixed (46%). Sixty five percent (65%) of the pigs were tethered and housing was not provided in 61% of the farms. Most of the feeds were sourced locally. Lack of castration and delayed weaning of pigs was observed on 49% and 30% of the farms, respectively. The main production constraints included pig diseases (81%) and high cost or lack of feed (81%). Haematopinus suis infestations and worm infections were considered to be the most important diseases by 71% and 55% of the farmers, respectively. Farmers had moderate knowledge on parasitic disease diagnosis with 31% and 62% not having a history of either deworming or spraying pigs with acaricides, respectively. Marketing constraints were common amongst the farmers and included poor prices and inadequate market information. In conclusion, the production system was characterized as low-input with an income objective. Future research and development approaches should focus on the integration of free-range farmers into the country's market chains through access to extension services.
在肯尼亚西部，小规模农户中普遍采用自由放养式养猪。为了确定这种生产系统的特点，我们对布西亚区的182名农户进行了一项关于农场特征和管理的横断面问卷调查。农场平均规模为一英亩，每个农场猪的平均数量为3.6头。养猪主要是为了获取收入（98%），且大多数猪为杂交品种（64%）。生产系统包括从产仔到断奶（12%）、从育肥猪到出栏（36%）以及混合模式（46%）。65%的猪被拴养，61%的农场没有提供猪舍。大多数饲料来自当地。分别有49%和30%的农场存在未对猪进行阉割和断奶延迟的情况。主要生产制约因素包括猪病（81%）以及饲料成本高或缺乏饲料（81%）。分别有71%和55%的农户认为猪虱感染和蠕虫感染是最重要的疾病。农户对寄生虫病诊断的了解程度一般，分别有31%和62%的农户没有给猪驱虫或用杀螨剂喷洒猪的历史。销售制约因素在农户中很常见，包括价格低廉和市场信息不足。总之，该生产系统的特点是低投入且以收入为目标。未来的研发方法应侧重于通过提供推广服务，将自由放养农户纳入该国的市场链。
