THE CONTRIBUTION OF PIGGERY FARMING ON HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN

BUKOMANSIMBI DISTRICT

BY SEGUYA
Background of the study

The pig sub-sector has recently gained prominence as a sector with potential to significantly
improve the incomes smallholder far

mers in sub-Saharan Africa. Consequently, the total pig populations in Africa has increased from
about 17 million in 1990 to over 40 million pigs in 2018, with over 17 million in Eastern Africa
(FAO, 2020). In Uganda, total pig numbers increased from 3.2 million in 2008 to over 4.1
million in 2017 (UBOS, 2009). The increase in pig populations in Uganda is attributed to many
factors that make the enterprise more appealing to both rural and urban smallholder farmers. Pigs
can be reared within a relatively small piece of land as opposed to other livestock including
cattle, goats and sheep (Ndyomugyenyi & Kyasimire, 2015). Pigs are also capable of farrowing
over two times annually with an average litter size of at least 10 piglets per farrowing in addition
to relatively low pre-weaning mortality rates of less than two, piglets per farrowing (Okello et
al., 2015).

There has also been an increase in demand of pigs and pig products as a result of the increasing
population, coupled with increased per capita consumption of pork. The current per capita
consumption of pork for Uganda is 3.3 kg (FAO, 2020). This estimate is likely to increase given
the projected increase in population. Uganda’s population is projected to reach 63 million by
2030 and 105 million by 2050 (UN, 2017). Additionally, projections by the Organization for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) shows a deficit in pig production to meet increasing demand for pork in
most developing countries (OECD/FAO, 2019). This projected increase in demand for pig
products would require a considerable increase in production largely from smallholder farmers
who are the majority of the pig producers in developing countries including Uganda (Otte et
al., 2012).

Despite the benefits of pig farming and its potential for improving incomes of smallholder
farmers, the sub-sector has been faced with an enormous challenge of providing pigs with
adequate feeds for optimal growth (Ouma et al., 2015). As a consequence, a number of potential
pig farmers have been discouraged from the sub-sector (Mbuthia et al., 2015), while, those who
are already in sub-sector cannot competitively and sustainably expand their operations for fear of
increasing production cost beyond their capacity (Tatwangire, 2014). As such, the prospects of
increasing production to match the increasing demand is being eroded. Obtaining feeds in the
right quality and quantity for optimal pig production is increasingly becoming a challenge for
most smallholder farmers due to two main factors.

Problem statement
Smallholder farmers have devised ways of addressing this challenge by adopting the use of
locally available feed resources in addition to conventional and commercial feeds. Smallholder
farmers feed their pigs with feeds that they can afford through purchase, production or simply
gathering (Roesel et al., 2019).The smallholder pigs’ feed profile which includes conventional
feeds, leftover food (swill), plant products and by-products of agro-processing are thus highly
diversified. This feed diversification is important in addressing the feeding challenge especially
among resource constrained smallholder farmers.
There has been limited attention to its socio-economic and institutional drivers, and yet there are
several feed resources that can be utilized for feeding pigs by smallholder farmers (Roesel et
al., 2019). Understanding these socio-economic drivers is specifically important since there are
several pig feeds resources that may be equally available to most smallholder farmers, and yet
different farmers choose to use different combinations of feed resources. This study will
determine the contribution of piggery farming on household income in Bukomasimbi district

General objective
To determine the contribution of piggery farming on household income in Bukomasimbi district

Specific objectives
i. To determine the benefits from piggery farming on household income in Bukomasimbi
district
ii. To determine the challenges faced in piggery farming on household income in
Bukomasimbi district
iii. To determine the solutions to the problems faced in piggery farming on household
income in Bukomasimbi district

Research Questions
 i. What are the benefits from piggery farming on household income in Bukomasimbi
district?
ii. What are the challenges faced in piggery farming on household income in Bukomasimbi
district?
iii. What are the solutions to the problems faced in piggery farming on household income in
Bukomasimbi district?

Research hypothesis
i. There are significant benefits from piggery farming on household income in
Bukomasimbi district
ii. There are significant challenges faced in piggery farming on household income in
Bukomasimbi district
iii. There are significant solutions to the problems faced in piggery farming on household
income in Bukomasimbi district
Methodology

Research design
The study will take into consideration of a cross sectional research design and will take into
consideration both quantitative and qualitative approaches to generate adequate data regarding
the study variables (Kwemarira, Kigozi, Ntayi & Magoola, 2021).

Sample size
The samplewill be used as suggested by Amin (2005) that sampling is vital in selecting elements
from a population in such a way that the sample elements selected represent the population. The
sample will be determined in accordance to Yamane (1967). It is noted that there are estimated
1520 farmers (Kiruhura district Abstract, 2022)
N = Total Population, n = Sample size; e =Degree of error (0.05)
N
n=
1+ N ¿ ¿
1520
n=
1+ 1520¿ ¿
1520
n=
1+ 3.8
n = 316 Persons

Sampling techniques
The researcher intends to use the simple random sampling and purposive sampling. Simple
Random sampling will be used to select paretnts since every participant will have equal chances
of being selected. A Simple Random sampling allows use of a questionnaire to collect
information (Lavrakas, 2008).
Purposive sampling will be employed to select participants who will be targeted due to their
perceived knowledge arising out of known experience that they have. This technique will be
employed following the postulate that if sampling has to be done from smaller groups of key
informants, there is need to collect informative data, and thus the researcher needs to select the
sample purposively at one’s own discretion (Cresswell, 2018).
Data collection methods
The study will use a questionnaire survey as the data collection method. The study will also use
open-ended interviews during data collection method. During the study, the researcher will
conduct in-depth interviews with farmers in abide to generate adequate and consistent
information regarding the subject under study. This method will be used because it is useful for
collecting in-depth information and the researcher is able to supplement information obtained
from responses with those gained from observation of non-verbal reactions or questionnaires
(Kothari, 2004).

Data analysis and interpretation

Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods will be used to analyse objectives of the
study. The researcher will analyze the quantitative data by explaining the number and percentage
of respondents who will have agreed or disagreed on every variable or statement in the
table/figure. The hypothesis will also be tested using Pearson correlation coefficients using SSP
v 25.

Qualitative data will also be analysed thematically by examining all transcripts for accuracy and
completeness against the original notes before data is ready for coding. Thematic analysis
approach will include familiarisation with the material, identification of the codes, searching for
themes, revision of the themes and interpretation.

Ethical consideration
The goal of ethics in research is to ensure that no one is harmed or suffers adverse consequences
from the research activities (Cooper & Schindler, 2003). Research ethics is critical for there are
number ethical issues that researchers must adhere to (Willig & Stainton, 2008). The researcher
w ill ensure all these are upheld through the following ways:

i. Informed consent. The respondents will make choice to participate in the study or not. Each
respondent will have a right to decline or discontinue participating in the research at any time
and at will (Christians, 2011).

ii. The subjects will have a right to anonymity. That is, to conceal information about them-
selves that they feel would be sensitive and private (Babbie, 2011). To safeguard the privacy
of subjects, the researcher will not use the names but only the relevant demographic
 information as well as random code numbers in the case of interviews.

iii. The participant’s confidentiality will be guaranteed: that there will be protection of
information given and that the data collected will be treated with total confidentiality
(Christians, 2011). To ensure this, the researcher will list the data using number codes rather
than names.
References

Greve, D. (2015). Analysis of performance, management practices and challenges to intensive

pig farming in peri-urban Kampala, Uganda. International Journal of Livestock
Production, 6(1), 1-7.

Mbuthia, J. M., Rewe, T. O., & Kahi, A. K. (2015). Evaluation of pig production practices,
constraints and opportunities for improvement in smallholder production systems in
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Ndyomugyenyi, E. K., & Kyasimire, J. (2015). Pig production in Kichwamba sub-county,

Rubirizi district, Uganda.

Okello, E., Amonya, C., Okwee-Acai, J., Erume, J., & De Greve, H. (2015). Analysis of
performance, management practices and challenges to intensive pig farming in peri-urban
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Ouma, E., Dione, M., Lule, P., Pezo, D., Marshall, K., Roesel, K., Jagwe, J. (2015). Smallholder
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Roesel, K., Ejobi, F., Dione, M., Pezo, D., Ouma, E., Kungu, J., ... & Grace, D. (2019).
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