VALUE CHAIN APPRAISAL OF PIGS’ MARKET FLOW, GOVERNANCE, AND SANITARY RISKS IN SOUTH EAST, NIGERIA

Abstract

A thematic study was carried out to establish the flow of pigs and pork in the region and to understand governance and sanitary risks in the value chain. Cross-sectional qualitative data were collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews with participants. Data were collected on the source and destination of live and slaughtered pigs, value-addition infrastructure, governance, and sanitary risks. A total of 110 participants were involved in the study. The result showed that the sector was not regulated and veterinary/professional/animal health care services were not well patronized. The sale of life pigs was scarcely done with a weighing scale. It was observed that the destination of life pigs was from the region to Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa states, and neighbouring countries such as the Cameroons and Equatorial Guinea. Most farmers relied on self-medication for their pigs and the use of herbs was widely practiced. Inspection of animals by certified personnel was not practiced, so, there were biosecurity concerns in most pig farms in the region. There were no formal markets in the pig value chain, although the prospect for the enterprise was high. Women participation in the value chain was 30%, and the market for pigs in the region was not regulated and there existed no grading system. Most times, the brokers set the price. Slaughtering animals close to the farm, head carrying of slaughtered animals, and use of motorbikes were sanitary risk issues in the value chain. Since there was no national policy on pig production, it was recommended that state governments within the region formulate policies to regulate the pig enterprise and provide an enabling environment to attract investors in the value chain. Such policies should include the provision of infrastructures and linkage with foreign investors for the benefit of actors within the value chain.