Enhancing Livelihoods through Sustainable Piggery

As we reach another important milestone in the Piggery Project, we are excited to share the latest developments and learning experiences from our farming communities. This update highlights the encouraging progress in pig reproduction, as well as the challenges our farmers are facing and the actions being taken to address them.

Pig Reproduction and Growth

We are pleased to report that many of the pigs distributed under the project have successfully reproduced. This is a positive achievement that reflects the farmers' commitment to providing proper care and management.

The increasing pig population not only promises improved household incomes in the future but also strengthens the sustainability of the project by creating a continuous supply of piglets that can benefit additional households.

Challenges Encountered

Despite this encouraging progress, a few challenges have emerged:

• One sow suffered a vaginal tear during farrowing and is currently producing insufficient milk to adequately feed her piglets.
• An outbreak of swine fever has been reported in Mbaraara, affecting some of our project farmers' pigs and posing a significant threat to livestock production.

Actions Taken

To address these challenges, SHCAN has taken the following steps:

• A veterinary professional was engaged to provide immediate treatment and guidance for the injured sow.
• The sow is being supported with nutritious food concentrates, iron injections, and adequate clean water to aid her recovery and improve milk production.
• Farmers have been advised to immediately isolate any pig showing signs of illness, such as high fever, red patches on the skin, loss of appetite, or lethargy, to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
• Farmers continue to receive guidance on good husbandry and disease prevention practices to protect the health of their animals.

Looking Ahead

These experiences remind us that successful livestock farming requires constant attention, timely intervention, and continuous learning. While challenges are inevitable, they also provide valuable opportunities to strengthen our management practices and improve the resilience of our farmers.

We remain committed to supporting our farmers with the knowledge, veterinary care, and technical assistance needed to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the Piggery Project.