Pigs Summary Fact Sheet
Production
- 26,107 Mt (2016)
- 27,412 Mt (2017)
- 28,392 Mt (2018)
- 30,025 Mt (2019)
- 31,786 Mt (2020)
Source: Agricultural Facts and Figures, 2020.
- 777,000 (2016)
- 816,000 (2017)
- 845,000 (2018)
- 894,000 (2019)
- 946,000 (2020)
Source: Agricultural Facts and Figures, 2020
- Gestation Period
- 115 Days (3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days)
- All Year Round
- Avoid mating in very hot months
- Dry Sows & Gilts: 15 - 17 ft2 (1.4 - 1.6 m2)
- Mature In-Sow: 18 - 20 ft2 (1.7 - 1.9 m2)
- Lactating Sows (first timer): 48 ft2 (4.4 m2)
- Lactating Sow (Mature Sows): 64 ft2 (5.9 m2)
- Herd Boars: 15 - 20 ft2 (1.4 - 1.9 m2)
- Weaning to 34 kg: 5 - 6 ft2 (0.5 - 0.6 m2)
- Growers 34 kg - 57 kg: 6 - 7 ft2(0.6 - 0.7 m2)
- Fatteners 57 kg - market: 8 - 10 ft2 (0.74 - 0.9 m2)
- GH ȼ 18,716.00
- 90 - 100 kg (6 - 7 months, depends largely on feeding regime)
- Creep Feed
- Weaner Meal
- Fattener/Finisher Meal
Source: FAO Farmers’ handbook on Pig production
- Medication
- Antimicrobial
- Dewormer
- Acaricide
- Ivomec
- Iron Injection
- Vitamins
- Vaccination
- Swine Fever vaccine:
- 1st Vaccine: 2 months
- 2nd Vaccine: 3 months (1 months after 1st vaccine)
- Annual: Repeat after each 6 months intervals
- 5 - 7 % (Depends largely on biosecurity and other management practices)
- Suckling Piglet: 15 - 20 x 20 x 10 cm per pig
- Fattening Pigs: 30 - 35 x 20 x 15 – 20 cm per pig
- Pregnant/ Lactating Sow/ Breeding Boar: 40 - 50 x 35 - 40x 15 - 20 cm per pig
- Suckling Piglet: 15 - 20 x 20 x 10 cm per pig
- Fattening Pigs: 30-35 x 20 x 15 – 20 cm per pig
- Pregnant/ Lactating Sow/ Breeding Boar: 40 - 50 x 35 - 40 x 15 - 20 cm per pig
Productivity
- 90 - 100 kg (6 - 7 months, depending on feeding and other management practices).
- 90 - 100 kg (6 - 7 months)
Budget Benchmarks
- GH ȼ 90,151.00 (Exclude cost of housing and equipment)
Source: APD, MoFA
- GH ȼ 106,400.00
- GH ȼ 16,249
Risks
- Competition from cheap imported pig products.
- New disease as well as drug residue in meat because of farmers not following laid down protocols for drug usage.
- Recurrence of schedule diseases - African Swine Fever.
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General Overview of Pig Production
The pig industry in Ghana is a source of animal protein, vitamins, minerals, energy, employment and income for the various actors along the value chain. They have a short reproductive cycle, very prolific and can be used to increase meat production within a short time. Furthermore, rate of returns is relatively high. Growth rate is also high if they are given the right feed ration and proper husbandry (about 90- 100kg in 6-7 months) with carcass weight also high (about 70%).
The commonly used system of production is the intensive system where pigs are kept in pens throughout and fed balanced ration, though some farmers also practice the semi intensive system and extensive system. The extensive system is mainly practiced by traditional smallholders producing the Ashanti Black Pig breed. In the semi-intensive system, pigs are kept in pens and given boiled cassava and leftover meals and are sometimes opened to scavenge for food.
Demand for pork and its products have been rising steadily over the past decade. This can be attributed to demographic growth, economic and technological advancement as well as policies and programmes aimed at improving the industry. Others are due to health reasons because the meat is white and is preferred to red meat.
Pig Production Parameters
- Gestation – 113 – 115 days
- Farrowing rate 2 times in a year
- Average litter size (8 per sow)
- Temperature of farrowing environment- 26 – 30oC
- Piglet access to colostrum
- Weigh piglet (1.2- 1.8 kg)
- Iron injection and removal of canine teeth – 3-4 days
- Creep feeding (from 7 days)
- Weaning (6 – 8 wks with weight of 15.5 -18kg)
- Identification (ear tagging , tattooing)
- Castration – (2 – 3 wks.)
Advantages of Producing Pigs
- Advantages in producing pig
- Prolificacy and Short Gestation Period
- Fast growth (90 – 100kg By 7 -9 Month)
- Not much elaborate housing require
- High Dressing Percentage (Carcass Weight) Pig 75% and Ruminant 50%
- Manure and Biogas
Assessment
What criteria should loan officers use to assess pig farmers?
- Record keeping (there should be adequate records on the breeding plan, feed consumption and other services)
- Hygiene
- Feed and fresh water available
- Mating system
- Building
- Production cycle (batches, systems, number of rooms…)
- Protection against external diseases
- Performance
- Commercialization
- Cash flow needs
- Manure storage
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Value Chain Actors and Linkages in Ghana
Value Chain Actors and Linkages
Input Suppliers
This group sell feed, drugs, equipment and breeding stock to support the production process.
Pig Farmers
Most of these farmers practice intensive and semi-intensive system of production. They provide feed, water and cross the pigs for fattening and sale. Some farmers sell the live pigs to pig traders. A few farmers provide slaughter facilities and supply the meat directly to pork retailers and supermarkets.
Pig Traders
These actors are made up of pig aggregators who buy live pigs and send to the slaughter slabs and those who sell fresh/processed meat.
Processors
They include slaughter slab Operators, they are very few in number and operate informally. Some these operators have pens for housing pigs where customers can select their pigs for slaughter. Some of the operators also add value to the meat for consumption (cutting into various parts, sausage, khebab, etc).
Consumers
These are individual and institutional consumers/users.
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Key Husbandry Practices and Their Importance
| Key Good Husbandry Practice | Brief Description and Importance |
| Breeding Stock | Exotic breeds commonly used in Ghana are the Large White, Landrace and their crosses. Large White: Large White pig is large in size and of pure white coloration. It has white or pink skin, dished face and erect ears of pink color. The breed is easily distinguished by it's large size. Landrace: Landrace have white skin and are free from black hair. They are a lop-eared pig with a long middle, light forequarters, and excellent ham development. Ashanti Black Pig: It is a local breed. It is generally a black, small, short-bodied animal with a relatively long and narrow head, and a prolonged snout. The breeding stock must be purchased from reputable farms or research stations e.g. Animal Research Institute Farms, University Farms or Livestock breeding stations of the Animal Production Directorate, Ministry of Food and Agriculture where good breeding systems are known to be practiced. Definitions
Selection of a breeding sow
Selection of a breeding boar This is important since boars contribute about 50% of the quality of the herd.
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Preparation for farrowing Farrowing Pen |
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| Farrowing Tips |
Piglets may remain there or be transferred to a weaner pool |
| Housing and equipment | Quality pig housing is a major contribution to profitability and pig health with lower mortality rates and better growth, increased feed efficiency and lower costs. A good housing structure must offer the following benefits.
Basic requirements for a standard housing
Indigenous Micro Organism Techniques (IMO) Benefits
 
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| Medication/ vaccination Regime | Vaccination is normally not done in Ghana |
| Servicing | Pigs can be bred throughout the year however very high temperatures can prevent or delay ovulation and in severe cases cause abortions. The boar reaches sexual maturity at 6 months with a weight of 60-110kg. At this age, use sparingly i.e. mating twice a week until 12 months old when it could be given 4-6 services per week.
Gilts reach sexual maturity at 6 months; however, mate them between 7-9 months i.e. after two to three heat periods (to take advantage of multiple ovulations) with a live weight of 90-100kg.
Signs of heat
Other reproductive parameters in pigs
Feed advice for sow before and after service
 |
Management of weaned piglets |
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| Culling | Reasons for culling a sow
Reasons for culling a boar
Replacement stock can be selected from weaned piglets. Sows and Boars must be replaced after three years depending on their reproduction performance |
| Disease and Pest Management | Parasitic diseases These are caused by internal and external parasites Internal Parasites Common ones include roundworm and tape worm, adult worms live in the intestines of the pigs but immature ones may travel to the lungs and liver. Pigs become infected by eating eggs infected with the larvae. Due to competition between pigs and worms for nutrients derived from their feed the following signs may be observed. Signs and symptoms
Successful control of worms includes combination of strategic drug therapy and environmental clean-up. Administer any broad-spectrum dewormer periodically either by injection or in feed.
Piglets one week after weaning, 3months and 7months |
| Biosecurity measures | This is the set of practical measures taken to prevent the entrance of infection into a farm and control the spread of infection within that farm. The goal of a biosecurity programme is to keep out pathogens that the herd has not been exposed to and to minimize the impact of endemic pathogens.
Follow appropriate vaccination schedules |
| Preparation for market/slaughter eg fattening | In commercial production, the last phase may be divided into the grower (up to 55kg of animal live weight) and finisher stage (up to market weight) 90-100kg at 6-7 months At the time of slaughter, animals should be healthy and physiologically normal. Slaughter animals should be adequately rested. They should be rested, preferably overnight, particularly if they have travelled for some times over long distances. However, pigs could be slaughtered on arrival if time and distances travelled are relatively short and holding in pens is stressful for them. Animals should be watered during holding and can be fed, if required. The holding period allows for injured and victimized animals to be identified and for sick animals to be quarantined. |
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Key Risks Along The Value Chain and Mitigation Measures
Key Risks Along the Pig Value Chain and Mitigation Measures
| Value Chain Actions | Key Risks and Challenges | Mitigation Measures |
| Input Supply | Limited access to breeding stock | Establish breeder farms to supply breeding stock |
| Limited sources of pig feeds |
|
| Finance | High cost of credit | Promote group formation to enhance financial resource mobilization. |
| Production | Rudimentary breeding methods. |
|
| Low usage of formulated feed by farmers | Train/ sensitize farmers on benefits of formulated rations. | |
| Poor housing |
| |
| Marketing | Non-existent market outlet | Set up specialized markets for pigs. |
| Processing | Inadequate processing equipment | Encourage local fabrication of processing equipment to enhance meat processing. |
| Limited slaughtering facilities for pigs | Set up specialized slaughter slabs for pigs. | |
| Consumption | Negative perception about quality of meat | Advertisements on nutritional benefits of pork and its products. |
| Other |
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Pests, Diseases, Symptoms and Control Measures
Major Pest and Diseases of Pig and their Management
| Pest- Parasitic Diseases | Symptoms | Control and Management |
| Internal Parasites | ||
Common ones include roundworm and tape worm, adult worms live in the intestines of the pigs but immature ones may travel to the lungs and liver. Pigs become infected by eating eggs infected with the larvae. The worms compete with pigs for nutrients derived from their feed, the following signs. Location of worms in the Pig’s body  |
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| External parasites | ||
Mange This is a dry scaly condition caused by mite. It affects the eyes, nose and skin and spreads to other parts of the body. This causes intense itching resulting in animals rubbing itself against objects in the pen. Pig infested with mites  |
| Prevention
Treatment
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Lice These are blood suckers that also cause irritation in the skin. It is mostly found in folds of skin behind the ears and between the legs. |
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| Diseases | ||
African swine fever 
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Mastitis  |
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Foot-and-mouth disease 
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Leptospirosis  |
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| Scouring (Diarrhoea) |
|
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Market Information of Pigs
Market Information
Some farmers sell live pigs to pig traders. Pig traders are made up of pig aggregators who buy live pigs and send to the slaughter slabs as well as those who sell fresh/processed meat.
A few farmers provide slaughter services and supply the meat directly to pork retailers, supermarkets, and other institutional consumers. Some of these retailer’s steam and fry the pork at drinking spots or at vantage points.
Price Trends
| Pork Price trends (GH¢/kg) | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
| 20 | 24 | 26 | 30 | 30 |
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Enterprise Budget for Pig
Enterprise Budget for A Five Sow Unit
Table 9. COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
| PERIOD | ||||||
| A/C Heading | Y0 | Y1 | Y2 | Y3 | Y4 | Y5 |
| Sale of Pigs | ||||||
| Revenue | 53,200 | 106,400 | 106,400 | 106,400 | 106,400 | 106,400 |
| Expenditure | ||||||
| Fixed cost Dep (20%) | 9,065 | 9,065 | 9,065 | 9,065 | 9,065 | 9,065 |
| Variable cost | 50,851.2 | 73,195.2 | 73,195.2 | 73,195.2 | 73,195.2 | 73,195.2 |
| Overhead cost | 12,000 | 12,000 | 12,000 | 12,000 | 12,000 | 12,000 |
| Total cost | 71,916 | 94,260.2 | 94,260.2 | 94,260.2 | 94,260.2 | 94,260.2 |
| Profit/loss before tax | (18,716) | 12,139.8 | 12,139.8 | 12,139.8 | 12,139.8 | 12,139.8 |
| Rev/Total cost | 0.73975 | 1.12879 | 1.12879 | 1.12879 | 1.12879 | 1.12879 |
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Key Policies, Projects and Programmes
Credit Policies
The Government of Ghana has a dedicated bank, the Agricultural Development Bank mandated to take care of agricultural financing. The bank has recently set aside an amount of Five Hundred Million Cedis (GH¢ 500,000,000.00) for promotion of livestock in the country at a concessionary rate.
Tariff
Tariffs on imported meat are set to raise revenue and raise the competitiveness of the indigenous livestock industry. The level of tariffs on imported meat and meat products is 20 percent of Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) of the import. Other taxes and levies are:
- Value Added Tax (VAT): 12.5 per cent
- National Health Insurance Levy: 2.5 percent (collected by the VAT Secretariat)
- Export Development and Investment Fund Levy: 0.5 percent
- Inspection Fee: 1 percent
- ECOWAS Levy: 0.5 percent
- Ghana Customs Network: 0.4 percent of CIF.
Tax Holidays
Pig production enterprise enjoys 5 years tax holidays in Ghana.
The Government of Ghana Policies
Measures and regulations, aimed at the development of the livestock industry are based on a set of strategies specified in the Livestock Development Policy. These strategies target the different categories of actors in the livestock sector, and address issues of breed improvement, production, health management, processing and marketing. Some of the key strategies being implemented are:
(i) Focus on improving animal health
(ii) Improve access to quality feed and water
(iii) Enhance the performance of indigenous breeds through a programme of selection and Artificial Insemination (AI)
(iv) Develop commercial poultry as the priority for improving meat supply in the short term, while measures are implemented to transform smallholder production into profitable enterprises and
(v) Improve access of operators to technology and appropriate financial instruments to enhance their competitiveness with imports
International Trade Policies
Given the current policy of trade liberalization, trade policy will be used to promote the international competitiveness of domestic enterprises. The specific policy objectives are to
(i) Improve export Competitiveness
(ii) Diversify and increase exports and improve domestic markets and
(iii) Accelerate economic integration with other regional and/or sub-regional states.
Current Project in the Livestock Sub-sector
The Government of Ghana has designed a 5-year strategic programme: “Rearing for Food and Jobs” which is one of the 5 modules of the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ).
The objective is to develop a competitive and more efficient livestock industry that increases domestic production, reduces importation of livestock products, and contributes to employment generation and to the improvement of livelihoods of livestock value chain actors and the national economy.
The RFJ focuses on five key livestock species consisting of: dairy cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry.
Under RFJ, pig production is to receive a boost through the distribution of breeding stock to selected farmers who already have housing structures. Five pigs made up of 4 gilts and 1 boar will be advanced to farmers as a credit in kind to be paid after 2 years of production.
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Resources for Pig
Pig World
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Agriculture in Africa Media LBG| Email: Ghana@agricinafrica.com
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