Head of Animal Science Department at the University of Cape Coast, Dr. Moses Teye has debunked assertions that pigs are dirty but rather the neatest animals one could rear.
According to him contrary to popular belief, pigs are unable to sweat, instead, they wallow in mud or in gutters to cool down.
Dr. Teye, who said this at the opening session of the 5-day short course on practical pig farming as a business for pig farmers from different parts of the country, indicated that pigs have an optimum temperature range that they would like to live in.
The purpose of the tailor-made short course is to train farmers who are into pig production on how they can effectively breed and raise pigs and generate good income from the business.
He also stated that, to start a pig farm as a business, it does not need to require a huge amount of money to begin adding that farmers need to be patient and gradually the pig farming would yield results.
“You can start in a small manner and as time goes on you expand, however, for the pigs to grow very well, they need to eat good quality feed and therefore you should have money to be buying feed for the animals so that it can grow and reproduce very well for your benefit,” he said.
On the issue of demand for pigs and short supplies, Dr Teye said pig farmers in the country must form cooperatives to enable them to meet the growing demands adding that individuals who want to venture into pig farming to have patience and time at their disposal to cater for the animals.
He intimated that “Whoever wants to go into livestock farming should have time because whatever we make up our minds to do, we should be able to devote time for it. Livestock farming has no weekends and no holidays because your animals will eat every day and therefore it is very important for you to devote time for your animals.
Dr. Teye also advised pig farmers to form cooperatives to help each other as demand for pigs is becoming increasingly high.
“We are advising all pig farmers to go into cooperatives. There are processors who need animals in larger quantities so that they can merge and decide to supply to such people on a regular basis and in that case, we can become pork sufficient in the country.”
Source: Anthony Ayisadu/ATLFMNEWS
