Abstract
In order to identify and evaluate health related constraints faced by Ugandan pig farmers, a veterinary herd health management approach (VHHM) was applied in 20 randomly selected pig farms in the Lira district, Uganda. Regular herd visits were conducted between July 2018 and June 2019, using e.g. interviews, observations, clinical examinations and laboratory analyzes to gather qualitative and quantitative data on relevant aspects of the production. The pig farmers kept on average 18.6 pigs, including 2.6 sows/year. The production figures varied considerably but were generally poor. The sows produced 1.6 litters/year and 8.2 piglets born alive per litter, the average daily gain was 101 g/day, and the mortality in growers was 9.7%. Four major constraints were identified; poor nutrition, infectious diseases, inferior biosecurity, and poor reproductive management. The quantity and quality of feed was suboptimal. Endo- and ectoparasites were very common, causing diarrhea, bronchitis, pneumonia, skin lesions and pruritus. Post-weaning diarrhea associated with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli was important in the two largest herds, and parvoviral antibodies were found in seven herds, two experiencing problems with mummified fetuses. Biosecurity practices were insufficient and inconsistent, with free-ranging pigs and the use of village boars being the major risks. Reproductive figures were affected by poor estrus detection and service management. Overall, farmers lacked important knowledge on good management practices. In conclusion, the VHHM identified several important constraints that should be addressed in order to increase the productivity of Ugandan pig herds.
Highlights
In low-income countries, efforts to improve animal health have traditionally focused on single, major, infectious diseases, e.g. brucel losis, African swine fever (ASF) and foot-and-mouth disease (e.g. Okoth et al, 2013; Erume et al, 2016; Sulayeman et al, 2018)
Very little information is available on production figures, and poor record-keeping has previously been identified as a constraint (Muhan guzi et al, 2012)
The husbandry varied over time and between age categories
Summary
In low-income countries, efforts to improve animal health have traditionally focused on single, major, infectious diseases, e.g. brucel losis, African swine fever (ASF) and foot-and-mouth disease (e.g. Okoth et al, 2013; Erume et al, 2016; Sulayeman et al, 2018). In Uganda, a low-income country with an estimated gross domestic product per capita of 620 USD (Development Assistance Committee, 2019; The World Bank, 2019), the pig production has increased tenfold since the mid-1980s (FAOSTAT, 2019). Most of these pigs are found in smallholder farms (Ikwap et al, 2014b; Ndyomugyenyi and Kyasimire, 2015), and an aspired increase in productivity is hampered by several. Constraints, including poor animal health (Muhanguzi et al, 2012; Dione et al, 2014) that is closely linked to productivity (Jørgensen, 1992; Friendship and O’Sullivan, 2015; Kruse et al, 2019). Some of the problems that are faced by the farmers are not captured by regular clinical or laboratory work and demand a broader approach (Goodwin, 1971)
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