Abstract:
The effort of small scale pig farmers and government were geared towards harnessing the low animal protein production and Mal-nutrition problems in Cross River State. Pig production performs closely interrelated nutritional, economic and socio-economic functions, including food/animal protein security economic sustainablility, employment, alleviating rural-urban infrastructural development and contributes to resilent rural economics of livestock farmers.This study was designed to identity strategies for enhancing pig production by small scale farmers in Cross River State. The specific objectives of study were to identify:-Management technologies employed in pig production. Ascertain the constraints affecting pig production in the state Measures perceived for enhancing pig production. Three research questions and two-related null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A total population of 280 respondents comprising of small scale pig farmers. Agricultural Extension officers, and veterinary officers were involved in the study. The four points likerts scale was employed for the three sections A-C of the structured questionnaires items. The data were obtained through a structured questionnaires of 78 items. The data for the study was analysed using mean, t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) Hypothesis two was tested using t-test while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compute hypothesis one.The findings of the study revealed that (1) Pig farmers recorded high extent agreement on the management technologies employed in pig production especially Extensive, intensive, semi-intensive system, commercial production system, finishing pigs housing, indigenous, landrace/Duroc crossing straight breeding, purebred production system, Adoption of exotic breeds, balanced diet, water supply, and isolation. (ii) Pig farmers constraints to pig production border on poor management practices vaccination, capital, credit facilities, infrastructural development, farming records, sanitation, incentives and facilities and equipment (iii) Pig farmers have high extent adoption of measures perceived for Enhancing pig production which include good management, integrated farming, deworming, feeder usage, creep-feeding measure, supplementary feeding, fencing, good stock of breeds, parasite and disease control measures and rountine sanitation.Finally small scale pig farmers can increase their livestock by employing the non-conventional methods of feeding their pigs as to increase their sustainability in the business.
