Pig Farming Info PDF
Pig Farming Info PDF
Pig Farming Info PDF
PIG SECTOR
Kenya
3
PIG SECTOR
Kenya
Authors’ details
Samuel Maina Githigia is a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Nairobi and
a member of a research group from the Government ministries, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute and
University of Nairobi that is mapping the pork value chain in Kenya. He has interest in poverty alleviation among
small-holder farmers through improving livestock health and production, having extensive research experience on
the effects of parasitic infestations on these livestock systems in Kenya.
Sam Okuthe is a consultant epidemiologist based at the FAO Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal
Diseases (ECTAD) of Eastern Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. His work involves capacity building in
epidemio-surveillance, risk analysis, one health, emergency preparedness in reference to Transboundary Animal
Diseases (TADs) and general management of TADs in the eastern Africa region working very closely with the
national governments through the Department of Veterinary Services.
Bouna Diop is the Regional Manager of the FAO Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD)
of Eastern Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. He is working within the EMPRES group, providing technical assistance to
Eastern African countries on the design and implementation of programs and projects, formulation of relevant
response strategies to TADs, promoting and fostering regional networks (epidemiology, laboratories and
socio-economic).
The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and
do not necessarily reflect the views of FAO.
© FAO 2012
i
Foreword
Pig production is, along with poultry production, the fastest growing livestock sector
worldwide and this trend is expected to continue over the coming years. Growth in the sector
is mostly happening in developing and in-transition countries while animal numbers in
developed countries are stable or declining slightly. Pig production is gaining importance in
societies that are currently undergoing a shift from ruminant to monogastric livestock
production. Increasing demand, a shorter life cycle with higher return rates and
advantageous feed efficiency are key reasons for this development.
The role pig-keeping might play for the farmer, especially when referring to small-scale
and backyard farming systems, goes far beyond pork production and income generation. Pigs
are, from an economic perspective, an asset representing a store of wealth or safety net for
times of crisis; while, from a sociological perspective, traditional ceremonies and beliefs in
some places centre on the pig as an asset crucial to their belief system. With regard to
gender, pigs are the key income generator for women, or marginalized groups within society,
in some cultures.
The expanding pig production sector is facing diverse challenges. Sustainable sector
growth implies an accompanying growth in infrastructure which, in many countries, is not
happening at the same pace. This discrepancy, combined with the sector’s growing
importance in the livelihoods of more and more people, makes it a vulnerable component of
the economic and social backbone of a number of countries. Insecure feed availability,
insufficient sanitation and poor pig husbandry, as well as a lack of sound veterinary services
and meat inspection are factors that lead to poor animal, public, and environmental health.
In order to develop appropriate strategies for sector development, including disease
control measures, a better understanding is required of the different pig sectors, their
associated market chains, and the position of pigs within society.
This review for Kenya have been developed in collaboration with FAO ECTAD, Eastern
Africa and is part of a series of Country Reviews commissioned by the Animal Production and
Health Division (AGA). It is intended as a resource document for those seeking information
about the pig sector at a national level, and is not exhaustive. Some topics are only partially
covered or not covered at all and this document is subject to ongoing updating. The
author(s) and FAO/AGA welcome your contributions and feedback.
ii
Contents
Foreword .................................................................................................................. i
Contents .................................................................................................................. ii
Acronyms and abbreviations ................................................................................... iv
The country in brief.................................................................................................. 1
Profile of the pig sector............................................................................................ 3
2.1 LIVESTOCK DISTRIBUTION IN KENYA .................................................................. 3
2.2 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE PIG POPULATION ..................................... 3
2.3 PRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 4
2.4 CONSUMPTION ................................................................................................. 5
2.5 TRADE ............................................................................................................. 6
2.6 PRICES ............................................................................................................ 7
Pig production systems ............................................................................................ 9
3.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION ............................................................................. 9
3.1.1 History ................................................................................................... 9
3.1.2 Present-day ............................................................................................ 9
3.2 INDUSTRIAL / INTEGRATED PRODUCTION ......................................................... 10
3.2.1 Breeding stock / Piglet production............................................................ 10
3.2.2 Fattening .............................................................................................. 10
3.3 INTERMEDIATE (COMMERCIAL) SYSTEMS .......................................................... 11
3.3.1 Breeding stocks / Piglet production .......................................................... 11
3.3.2 Fattening .............................................................................................. 11
3.4 SCAVENGING OR BACKYARD PRODUCTION ........................................................ 12
3.5 CASE STUDIES ............................................................................................... 13
3.5.1 Case study one ...................................................................................... 13
3.5.2 Case study two ...................................................................................... 13
3.5.3 Case study three .................................................................................. 14
3.6 PIG FEEDS ..................................................................................................... 15
3.6.1 Local feed resources .............................................................................. 15
3.6.2 Imported feed resources ......................................................................... 15
3.6.3 Use of crop residues / by-products ........................................................... 15
3.6.4 Feed baskets ......................................................................................... 17
Trade, marketing and markets ............................................................................... 19
4.1 DOMESTIC MARKET ......................................................................................... 19
4.1.1 Animal trade markets ............................................................................. 19
4.1.2 Slaughtering facilities ............................................................................. 19
4.1.3 Value chains ......................................................................................... 22
4.1.4 Main trade routes .................................................................................. 26
iii
Chapter 1
Country: Kenya
Location: East Africa, bordering Indian Ocean, between Somalia and Tanzania
Population, growth rate: 2.6 % (2009) Source: World Bank, World Dev’t Indicators,
February 2011
400
300
200
100
0
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Current US$ 520 570 660 720 770
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
Urban population 4273 5193 6187 7384 9015 11126 13735
Rural population 19174 22187 25085 28215 31630 35041 37956
Source: Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of
the United Nations Secretariat. World Population Prospects: World Urbanization
Prospects 2007.
The urban population is projected to increase steadily from fewer than 5 million in 1990
to over 20 million in the year 2030, while the rural population is projected to stabilize at
about 40 million from the year 2020. This urban growth is significant but the majority of the
Kenyan population will continue to live in rural areas.
4.5
4
3.5
3
%
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
1990- 1995- 2000- 2005- 2010- 2015- 2020- 2025-
1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030
Rural annual growth rate 2.92 2.46 2.35 2.29 2.05 1.6 1.16 0.87
Urban annual growth rate 3.9 3.44 3.6 3.99 4.21 4.21 4.21 4.03
The annual urban population growth rate is projected to stabilize at around 4 percent
between 2010 and 2025/30. Rural population growth is projected to drop from around two
percent to a low of 0.87 percent over the same period. Contributing factors underlying this
prediction include rural-urban migration, climate change, government policies and illicit
brews 1 in some of the densely populated rural areas.
1
Illicit brews refer to traditional strong liquors which impact on work attendance and performance
(mostly among young males), and also affect their fertility.
Chapter 2
0.00/2.000.000/4.000.000/6.000.000/8.000.000/10.000.000/12.000.000/14.000.000
TABLE 1:
North Eastern 68 68 0
Source: KNBS 2009 Census; MOLD Department of Livestock Production Estimates, 2010
2.3 PRODUCTION
20000
15000
Yield in metric tonnes
10000
5000
0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Yield in metric tonnes 11474 14980 11370 15300 14500 12800 16800 16200 17225 18200
2
Data on the production system (breeding, fattening, etc.) is not available
Production has not changed greatly over the period. There is a difference of about 700
tonnes between the lowest production figures in 2000 and the highest in 2009.
450000
400000
350000
300000
Population
250000
200000
150000
100000
50000
0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Pig population 419584 332600 335900 415200 388760 320000 318000 304000 330000
Source: MOLD-LPD,2009
2.4 CONSUMPTION
18000
16000
Supply (metric tonnes)
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Supply in tonnes
10780.3 14096.5 10813.3 14202.5 13076.5 11287 15431.8 14779.5
TABLE 2:
Performance of the pig sector from 2000 to 2005
The pig population was almost stagnant between 2000 and 2005, although in 2003 there
was a short-lived recovery in population and numbers slaughtered, reflecting market
fluctuations. The pig market is dependent on tourism, so factors that affect the performance
of the tourist industry also affect the market for pork and pork products. Over 80 percent of
the slaughter was carried out by Farmer’s Choice which is the main supplier of pork and pork
products to the domestic and export market.
2.5 TRADE
2500
2000
Metric tonnes
1500
1000
500
0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Imports (metric
2 144 27 8 53 268 465 711
tonnes)
Exports (metric
603 960 507 2012 1364 1649 1698 1966
tonnes)
3
Exchange rate ranged between 75 Kshs to 84.5 Kshs = 1US$ over the period
Imports have increased from 2005 onwards. Most of the imports were from Brazil and
Canada (MOLD 2009). Exports, most of which were to COMESA countries, were sustained at
over 1 300 tonnes per year from 2003.
7000
6000
US$ 1 000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Imports (US$ 1 000) 6 251 28 19 116 660 1082 1679
Exports (US$ 1 000) 705 1996 1122 2856 4381 5241 5687 6533
Export values show a steady increase from 2003 onwards. Farmer’s Choice is the main
exporter of pork and pork products, to both COMESA and non-COMESA countries.
Farmer’s Choice is also Kenya’s main importer of pork. Prices here also show a steady
increase from 2005. The imported meat is processed into value-added pork products.
2.6 PRICES
2000
1800
Price (US$ per tonne)
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
US$ /
1184 1211 1196 1137 1101 1211 1358 1682 1747
tonne
Wholesale prices for pork produced in Kenya ranged from a low of US$ 1 101.3 per tonne
in 2004 to a high of US$ 1 747.1 per tonne in 2008, reflecting fluctuating demand for pork
and pork products. In Kenya, demand for pork is currently driven by tourism, in the main.
This may change as the popularity of pork continues to increase in the urban areas of Kenya.
Chapter 3
TABLE 3:
Brief background of pig production in Kenya
Colonial government imported Berkshire and large black pig breeds from
1905
Britain
1905 Proposal to build slaughter house (abattoir) at Njoro
1905 Abattoir built at Uplands, Limuru
1905 Outbreak of African Swine Fever (Tuitoek & Kosgey 1999)
Pig Producers Association and Pig Industry Board formed to control prices and
1940s
provide market facilities
1953 Pig breeding station opened in Naivasha by white settlers
Pig Producers Association dissolved and Uplands Bacon Factory became
1959
parastatal organization
Uplands Bacon Factory began large-scale production and marketing of pig
1972
products
1984-95 Uplands collapsed and Farmer’s Choice expanded
Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) farms ceased pig farming
Late 1980s, 1990s
operations
East Africa Training and Extract Company (EATEC) stepped up pig production
1990s
at Eldoret
Suspension of pig breeding at National Animal Husbandry Research Station
2008
(NAHRS), Naivasha
3.1.2 Present-day
The livestock subsector contributes about ten percent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
and accounts for over 30 percent of the farm gate value of agricultural commodities.
The Kenyan government has continued to encourage pig production as it plays a major
role in the tourism sector. Up to 70 percent of all pig farmers are engaged in small-scale
production. Feeds and feeding constitute about 80 percent of the total production cost, which
is why many producers are looking for cheaper ways to feed their animals.
A variety of production systems currently operate in Kenya’s pig sector. There are large
intensive commercial pig farms, small-scale commercial farms and free range traditional
systems (including scavenging and roaming) in Western Kenya, Nyanza and the suburban
slum areas of the major cities and towns.
The free range system is characterized by high mortality rates, low offtake, low
reproductive rates, minimal health care or supplementary feeding, lack of proper housing
and high levels of inbreeding.
In spite of this, most farmers opt for traditional rather than intensive farming because of
the high input costs associated with the latter.
In areas where traditional pig production is common, the human development index is
low and prevalence of poverty and HIV/AIDS is high. Most families are subsistence, resource-
poor farmers who have adopted small-scale pig farming to improve their living standards.
They characteristically supply pigs to local butcheries rather than to nearby urban areas. The
finished pigs are small and underweight.
Commercial pig farms are found within the city boundaries of Nairobi (e.g. Karen and
Kahawa), around Nairobi, in Central Province, Central Rift Valley (around Nakuru), North Rift
Valley (Eldoret, Kitale), parts of Eastern Province and a few in Western and Nyanza
provinces. Most of these farms keep fewer than 2 000 pigs. They supply pigs to local
butcheries, urban centres, and pork processing factories - mainly Farmer’s Choice (FC).
The improved exotic cross-breeds often farmed in this sector are bred and reared under
confinement. The breeding stock is sourced either from FC, large commercial farms or from
other small commercial pig farms.
Large commercial pig farms are found around Nairobi (FC– Kamiti and Karen), Kiambu in
Central Province (FC– Uplands), and North Rift Valley (FC– Oasis Farm Eldoret). They are
also found in Ngong and Kiserian near Nairobi, Thika and Muranga South. These farms each
have between 5 000 and 30 000 pigs. Farmer’s Choice is involved in the whole value chain.
They breed their own stock, raise piglets, slaughter and process pork products. Those in
Ngong and Kiserian raise pigs which are slaughtered on the farm. The meat is sold through
the farms’ butchery outlets in Nairobi. Farms in Thika and Muranga South raise pigs which
are mainly sold to FC. Farmer’s Choice farms supply about 50 percent of their annual
requirements, with the balance being sourced from contract farmers.
The small-scale, intensive pig-raising system is common in Central Province, Central Rift
Valley, North Rift Valley, Narok and Eastern Provinces. There are a few smallholder intensive
pig-raising systems in Busia, Bungoma and parts of Kisumu in Western and Nyanza
respectively. The numbers of pigs kept in these systems vary, at any given time, from fewer
than ten up to 100 - the higher figures relating to commercial farmers.
Most of the large-scale farmers mix their own feed rations, while small-scale farmers have
formed cooperative societies and opened feed mills, for example Meru Central Cooperative
Society. The main ingredient for feed is cereals - especially maize and wheat, with soya and
fishmeal used as sources of protein. The feed, whether milled by farmers or by their
cooperative societies, is mostly superior in quality and is cheaper than the commercially
available alternatives.
3.2.2 Fattening
The farm raises the weaners and finishes them as baconers to be sent to their factory at
Kahawa West for slaughter and processing.
PICTURE 1: piggery unit in a small-scale PICTURE 2: A nursing sow in one of the small-
commercial farm in Muranga South District scale commercial farms
3.3.2 Fattening
Intermediate commercial farmers produce piglets which they raise as baconers or
fatteners. Their involvement in the value chain ends, either when they sell the finished pigs
for slaughter outside the farm, or when they sell the meat in their butcheries after
slaughtering them on the farm.
These intermediate commercial farmers tend to use commercial feeds (mainly pig
finishing meal) to finish the pigs. A few own factories where they produce their own feeds.
Others buy the raw materials for home-made feed rations, which are usually cheaper and
better than commercial feeds.
PICTURE 3/4: A litter of piglets at a small-scale farm in Ndhiwa District, Homabay County
PICTURE 5/6: Free range pigs scavenging at a garbage dump site in Kibera slums, Nairobi
TABLE 4:
Average retail prices ranges for commercial pig feed
Creep Feed 22 – 25
4
Exchange rate at September 2010: US$ 1 = Kshs 80.25
PICTURES 6/7: Free range pigs (with other animals) at Nakuru Municipality’s London dump site
PICTURE 8: A tethered pig feeding on sugar cane PICTURE 9: Free range pig eating grass at a farm
cuttings in the traditional free range system in Ndhiwa District – Homabay County
PICTURE 10: Piglets feeding on cassava peelings PICTURE 11: Pig feeding on kitchen leftovers
TABLE 5:
Recommended feeding regime for pigs
The largest commercial pig enterprise, Farmer’s Choice, makes its own feed for its farms,
which it also supplies to some of its commercial contract farmers. In these cases, its field
officers monitor and advise on feeding, to produce quality finished pigs. The company
imports Creep Feeds from Britain.
Chapter 4
The facility has a capacity to slaughter 40 to 50 pigs per day, most of which come from
Kiambu and surrounding areas, with a significant number coming from Nyanza. One pig
trader transports 40 to 80 pigs here every week from Homabay and Migori districts. These
pigs have a variety of skin colours and are seen in the overnight holding pens. Ante mortem
inspection is carried out before slaughter.
PICTURE 22: Open slaughter house in Busia PICTURE 23: Open air slaughter slab in
County (Kagira et al. 2010) Ndhiwa District, Homabay County
Meat inspection at most of these slaughter slabs is carried out by the Department of
Veterinary Services, although it was observed that no inspection was performed in open air
slaughter slabs common among the free range traditional systems. Here butchers
slaughtered their pigs and sold them, with no license or inspection, at the pork butcheries
and eateries dotting the town centres and residential areas.
Some farmers specialize in piglet production and sell the weaners to other farmers who
finish the pigs (farrow-to-weaner). Others buy weaned and growing pigs which they keep
and fatten for slaughter (weaner-to-finisher). Piglets are sold at between six and eight weeks
old at a cost of between US$ 5 and US$ 10. These other farmers raise the weaners and sell
them after up to two years at a mean (farm gate) price of between US$ 30 and US$ 47,
earning a profit of around US$ 24 per pig sold.
The traders who buy them operate by moving from homestead to homestead, eventually
selling most of the pigs to butchers at a profit of between US$ 20 - 30. They also assemble a
number of finished pigs to be transported to Ndumboini slaughter house where the profit is
between US$ 50 and 100 per carcass. Among small-scale pig farmers in some rural areas, a
farmer notifies neighbours before he slaughters a pig, and requests that they book the
amounts they wish to buy. If the farmer gets enough booking in terms of weight, the pig is
slaughtered, inspected and the booked amounts distributed to the neighbours. The biggest
challenge is that some neighbours do not pay immediately.
In Western Kenya, among the traditional free range systems, a farmer informs
neighbours about slaughtering a pig by means of a hilltop drum. The neighbours get the
message and come for various amounts of the uninspected meat.
There are more players involved. The issues of policy, biosecurity and biosafety are
emphasized. The system is well-organized and value is added to every product along the
value chain.
4.2 IMPORT
Kenya imports most of its pork from Brazil and Canada, and most of its processed
products from Italy, as shown below. The main importer of pork is Farmer’s Choice, which
processes the imported meat into value-added products for the export market, such as
bacon and ham. Imports are regulated by the Department of Veterinary Services and are
allowed from certified countries. Import licenses are issued after a risk assessment of the
original source of the imports.
TABLE 6:
Imports of pork and pork products
4.3 EXPORT
In the last few years, Kenya has been exporting more pork products than beef, mutton
and goat meat combined. Farmer’s Choice, the leading processor and distributor of pork
products in Kenya, exports about 2 000 tonnes per year (20 percent of its total production)
to fifteen countries across Africa, the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Countries) and the Indian
subcontinent. Twenty five percent of the total Farmer’s Choice factory output of processed
pork products is exported. These include special cuts of meat, value-added pork products
such as ham, bacon and sausages.
Among COMESA and non-COMESA countries, the largest share of pork exported from
Kenya goes to Tanzania which takes over half of the exports per month. Farmer's Choice
products are sent by land, sea and air, from the factory to destinations worldwide.
TABLE 7:
Export of pork and pork products
Tanzania UAE
Uganda Bahrain
Eritrea Ghana
Ethiopia Nigeria
Djibouti Indian subcontinent
Mauritius Oman
The Democratic Republic of Congo Netherlands (10 000 tonnes twice a year)
Rwanda
Zanzibar
Source: Department of Veterinary Services – Export / Import Office November 2010 and
www.farmerschoice.co.ke – See map on page 56 (Annex III)
Chapter 5
Socio-economic indicators
In the traditional free range system of Western Kenya and Nyanza, pigs will be given
some feed, morning and evening. In most cases this is not adequate and the pig will have to
scavenge (if free) or eat grass if tethered. No attention is given to the pigs at other times, so
in this sense, inadequate time is allocated to the pigs’ upkeep. Where sows farrow in the
bush with no special attention, piglet mortality ranges from 50 to 80 percent. More time is
allocated to their upkeep when the piglets are weaned for sale or the finished pigs are being
sold to pig traders.
Farmers who buy weaned piglets allocate some time to care for them as they are delicate.
Although it is common to find pigs tethered in the hot sun all day with no provision of water,
equally in some homesteads, pigs are treasured and given a lot of attention. Such owners
are proud of their clean, well-fed pigs, keep records of breeding and sales and, in most
cases, receive a higher price for their efforts.
Chapter 6
Breeds
PICTURE 23: Large White pig at the Veterinary PICTURE 24: Pigs from the areas surrounding
Farm – University of Nairobi Ndumboini slaughter house waiting to be
slaughtered
5
Exchange rate, October 2010: US$ 1 = Ksh 80
PICTURE 25: Varieties of pigs kept by the farmers in Busia County: a. white boar, b. black and white
sow, c. black boar, d. black and white grower (Kagira et al. 2010)
There are no organized breeding programmes. A boar is shared among several farmers
and inbreeding is very common. A farmer buys a male and female weaner piglet from the
same litter which becomes his starter stock.
Neighbours share boars and there is no support for the boar keeper. The owner can sell
the boar anytime he needs money.
The pigs have a variety of skin colours, are small in size and take a long time to mature.
Sows farrow once a year. Mature gilts and baconers are sold at two years of age, most of
them underweight at between 50 and 70 kg live weight. Piglet mortality is between 50 and
60 percent owing to starvation and disease endemic to the harsh environment.
These breeds nevertheless play a significant role in these areas, contributing to the
livelihood of the homesteads and supplying pigs to the local butcheries. Some of these pigs
are transported to an abattoir on the outskirts of Nairobi and so end up being consumed in
the capital. Upcoming pig processors also buy the carcasses of these breeds from this
particular slaughter facility for use in their various processed pork products.
Chapter 7
Wildlife
Chapter 8
The prevalence of porcine cysticercosis, using lingual palpation, among traditional free
range pigs has been estimated at between 10 and 14 percent in Busia, 5 to 9 percent in Teso
and 6 percent in Homabay District. Seroprevalence of porcine cysticercosis in pigs in Busia
District using ELISA has been found to be between 4 and 20 percent.
National prevalence of porcine cysticercosis at meat inspection is less than 0.02 percent.
This has been attributed to poor recording and reporting at the MOLD headquarters. At
Farmer’s Choice, cases of cysticercus cellulosae have been recorded since July 2002. These
involved single carcasses that were condemned. Porcine cysticercosis causes losses - owing
to condemnation of carcasses and trade restrictions as major markets shy away from regions
which have reported cases of porcine cysticercosis.
Other Diseases
Other diseases reported include helminthes, mainly the gastrointestinal Ascaris suum and
Oesophagostumum species. Free range pigs have been found to show milky spots caused by
the migratory stages of Ascaris suum and to be heavily infected by the lung worm
Metastrongylus. Pigs have also been found to be infected with various gastrointestinal
protozoa such as Coccidia, Balantidium spp, Tritrichomonas and Enteomoeba which are
zoonotic. Five cases of Anthrax have been confirmed in pigs between December 2008 and
June 2010 by the Disease Control Unit of the Department of Veterinary Services.
In the commercial production systems, pneumonia, meningitis and diarrhoea have been
reported. Mastitis has been reported in sows. Gut edema has also been reported in Eldoret in
the Rift Valley Province and Kikuyu in Central Province.
Farmer’s Choice Limited has a vaccination regime for all its pigs against Erysipelas, E.
coli, Porcine Parvovirus and Clostridium.
Mange, Pediculosis and tick infections are common among the free range systems. Jiggers
(Tunga penetrans) also affect the pigs especially in Busia County. Mange has also been
reported in some commercial farms in Central Province.
Commercial farmers in Central Province deworm their pigs monthly and this leads to
development of anthelmintic resistance.
Foot and mouth disease (FMD) in pigs has been reported in parts of Central Kenya in
2009 in commercial enterprises which combine pig- and cattle-keeping. This followed
outbreaks of FMD in cattle. The resulting ban on the transportation of live pigs and pig
products from the affected farms had a major impact on the Kabati abattoir located in the
area. The ban was lifted in early 2010.
Other conditions include lameness, tether wounds on the feet and necks of tethered free
range pigs, and trauma from various objects.
PICTURE 26/27/28: Tether wounds on the neck and forelegs of free range pigs in Nyanza
PICTURE 29: Heavy pediculosis in a 5 week PICTURE 30: Cysticercus cellulosae cyst under
old free range piglet the tongue of a free range pig in Homabay
County
8.3 BIOSECURITY
Bioexclusion is the responsibility of pig farmers. The objective is to exclude any virus or
parasite coming onto the farm, by maintaining cleanliness and being very sure of the
provenance of pigs. It is essential that any pig entering a farm or joining a herd meets legal
and sanitary requirements. In Kenya, levels of hygiene and biosecurity vary according to the
production system. At one extreme is the free range backyard system where hygiene is poor.
In the small-scale commercial system, biosecurity and hygiene standards are higher in
establishments where pigs are housed on concrete floors. These are washed daily and the
pigs provided with clean water. A challenge in this system is disposing of manure - done at
the roadside in some enterprises. In those establishments where the floors are not concrete,
hygiene is poor with pigs rooting in the muddy waters and soil.
In the large commercial systems, hygiene standards are good and resources are allocated
to maintaining these standards.
According to several bylaws, no animals should be kept in urban areas. Those keeping
animals should have a special license. In rural areas, a farmer who plans to keep pigs is
expected to build a house and put in place other infrastructure as outlined in the Animal
Diseases Act (Control of Pig Diseases). The procedure is then to apply for a license to keep
pigs by paying US$ 2.5 to any livestock office, following which a veterinary officer will inspect
the premises. If the requirements are met, the farmer pays US$ 5 and is issued with a one
year license, to be renewed annually. The Act obliges farmers to maintain a clean
environment free from parasites, vermin and other contaminants, and covers the following
four main areas (Department of Veterinary Services - Kabete):
Import control
The Department of Veterinary Services regulates the importation of pigs and pig products
under the Animal Diseases Act (Animal Diseases Rules 1-14). Personnel stationed at all ports
of entry into the country verify the import specifications once the import is approved by the
DVS.
Chapter 9
Version of DATE
40 Policy and legal framework affecting the pig industry
Chapter 10
Analysis
• Intensify training to farmers and staff relating to public health and sanitation
• Increase extension workers’ mobility.
• Create incentives for pig production-
• Improve access to short- and long-term credit for pig producers and pork
processors
• Task the Kenyan Bureau of Standards (KEBS) with controlling and monitoring
industrial feed production to ensure good and constant quality.
• Encourage pig farmers to form interest groups to improve bargaining power.
• Increase demand for pork through focused communications-
• Popularize pork consumption in ASK shows, field days and demonstrations.
10.2 PROSPECTS OF THE PIG SECTOR OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS
There is continued demand for pork as the tourism industry has continued to grow. Many
farmers who had stopped rearing pigs are now recommencing pig-keeping and contributing
to an increased output of pork. Another factor in the increased demand for pork is its
growing consumption by local people, being that it is cheaper than beef in some regions.
Farmer’s Choice handles about 80 percent of the pigs processed in Kenya. Recently the
factory issued a circular to farmers, through the office of the production manager, to scale
up production as demand for pork rises, and FC projects that this growth in demand will
continue to rise. Small processing firms (such as Oscar Foods –Kikuyu, Chef’s Choice and
Hurlingham Butcheries) have since proliferated in order to process pork at various levels in
Kenya’s major towns.
Pork barbeque eateries have sprung up in towns such as Thika, Nyeri, Kerugoya,
Kakamega, Busia and Eldoret, greatly increasing the market for pork. In most of these urban
areas, the demand is higher than the supply.
Pig producers in Central, Nairobi and Eastern Provinces continue to enjoy the ready
market offered by Farmer’s Choice and other small processors such as Oscar Foods. As pork
consumption patterns change from it being the preserve of tourists and the rich to being
eaten more generally, numerous local butcheries in urban centres in these areas have begun
to thrive.
Pigs are particularly suitable in high-potential smallholdings since they need less land
compared with other livestock. High human population and a corresponding reduction in
farm size have made it necessary to maximize use of land – enhancing the viability of pig
farming.
The short reproductive cycle for pigs is favourable and farmers are able to take advantage
of this if assured of market support and stability.
The recent registration and formation of the Kenya National Pig Farmers Association is a
great step towards bringing pig farmers together to address the challenges in the sector.
Such groups are able to access credit, cheaper feed sources and good markets; and lobby for
government support for the sector. Such groups will also build regional slaughter houses and
processing factories thereby improving the value of the pork.
Prospects for the pig sector over the next five years are promising.
Annex I
GOVERNMENT
RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS
FARMER ORGANIZATIONS
Annex II
Currently there are no major development projects in the pig sector. Government and
NGOs have in the past attempted to address issues of breeding, feeding and marketing.
These have been frustrated by market fluctuations, and by the high cost and poor quality of
feeds.
The last major government intervention was in 1996 with the ADB/GOK-sponsored pig
project, which ended in the year 2000. The project was providing much needed credit and
technical information in the pig industry. Unfortunately the effects were not felt due to other
factors in the industry.
There are several projects addressing health issues coordinated by the Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nairobi, and by Canada and International Livestock
Research Institute (ILRI) at the University of Guelph. These projects are funded by the
Wellcome Trust and the European Union through the Association for Strengthening
Agricultural Research in East and Central Africa (ASARECA). These include:
• Diagnostic and Control Tools and Strategies for Taenia solium Cysticercosis in
Homabay
• Improving rural pig farming in Western Kenya
• Infectious Diseases of East African Livestock (IDEAL) – People, Animals and Zoonosis
in Busia (Welcome Trust and ILRI)
• International Potato Institute (CIP) – Evaluation of Dry Matter Yields and Silage
Quality of Sweet Potato Dual Purpose Varieties – Under Sweet Potato Animal Feed
project – A component of SASHA (Sweet Potato Action for Security and Health in
Africa).
• Survey of African Swine Fever (ASF) among domestic and wild pigs -ILRI – Kenya
Wildlife Service (KWS) and MOLD.
Annex III
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Annex IV
Maps
Source: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/africa/kenya_pol88.jpg
Model based on reported statistics at administrative level 3 (Division) for 2005, developed
using the methodology described in FAO 2007 6 and adjusted to match FAOSTAT 2005
national total.
6
FAO (2007) Gridded Livestock of the World, 2007, by G.R.W. Wint and T.P. Robinson. Rome: Food
and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Animal Production and Health Division.
Source: www.farmerschoice.co.ke