Analysis of ten years production trends of a Nigerian University Piggery unit

Abstract

The operations of a collapsing University of Nigeria, Nsukka piggery unit was studied over a period of 10 years with the objective of identifying the reasons for the deterioration of the unit as well as prescribe solutions. The piggery unit had in the past obtained regular funding from the university up to the 6^th year of the period under review, after which it became irregular and finally stopped by the 9^th year. This insufficiency of funds led to an erratic supply of feed and thus starvation, death of pigs and eventual almost total collapse of the unit. The average total stock population of the piggery unit increased from 42 in the first year of the study period to a peak of 232 in the 5^th year and thereafter declined to an average of 45 in the 10^th year. The annual feed allowances of the pigs were far below the annual feed requirements in quantitative and qualitative terms over the ten-year period. The highest feed consumption deficit was recorded in the 10^th year and the least deficit in the first year. Because of continued increase in the cost of feeds coupled with stoppage of funding by the university, the unit resorted to feeding the pigs mainly with boiled cassava tubers, which is high in fiber and low in protein. Litter size at birth ranged from 4.3 to 6.8 and the average number of piglets weaned per litter per year ranged from 2.1 to 6.6. This accounted for the continued decline in the stock population. Piglet mortality attained its peak of 64.8% by the 10^th year. The average piglet mortality, over the ten year period was however approximately 31%. The problem of the unit can be traced back to lack of adequate funding by the university.

Keywords: piggery, diseases, feed requirement, university farm, Nigeria

International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development Vol. 6 2005: 39-50