Mbuthia Jackson Mwenda, Rewe Thomas Odiwuor, Kahi Alexander Kigunzu
Animal Breeding and Genomics Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Egerton University, P.O. Box 536-20115, Egerton, Kenya.
Trop Anim Health Prod. 2015 Feb;47(2):369-76. doi: 10.1007/s11250-014-0730-2. Epub 2014 Dec 2.
This study evaluated pig production practices by smallholder farmers in two distinct production systems geared towards addressing their constraints and prospects for improvement. The production systems evaluated were semi-intensive and extensive and differed in remoteness, market access, resource availability and pig production intensity. Data were collected using structured questionnaires where a total of 102 pig farmers were interviewed. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed to define the socioeconomic characteristics of the production systems, understanding the different roles that pigs play, marketing systems and constraints to production. In both systems, regular cash income and insurance against emergencies were ranked as the main reasons for rearing pigs. Marketing of pigs was mainly driven by the type of production operation. Finances, feeds and housing were identified as the major constraints to production. The study provides important parameters and identifies constraints important for consideration in design of sustainable production improvement strategies. Feeding challenges can be improved through understanding the composition and proper utilization of local feed resources. Provision of adequate housing would improve the stocking rates and control mating.
本研究评估了小农户在两种不同生产系统中的生猪养殖实践，旨在解决其面临的制约因素并探讨改进前景。所评估的生产系统为半集约化和粗放式，在偏远程度、市场准入、资源可用性和生猪生产强度方面存在差异。通过结构化问卷收集数据，共采访了102位养猪户。采用定性和定量研究方法来界定生产系统的社会经济特征，了解生猪所起的不同作用、销售系统以及生产制约因素。在这两种系统中，定期现金收入和应急保障被列为养猪的主要原因。生猪销售主要受生产经营类型驱动。资金、饲料和住房被确定为生产的主要制约因素。该研究提供了重要参数，并确定了在设计可持续生产改进策略时需要考虑的重要制约因素。通过了解当地饲料资源的组成和合理利用，可以改善饲养难题。提供充足的住房将提高存栏率并控制配种。
