Africa's Pig Industry: Present Situation, Obstacles, Potential, and Prospects

Abstract

One of the profitable businesses in the livestock subsector of agriculture is the production of pigs. It makes a substantial contribution to the economy and the supply of animal protein, which improves food security in Africa and around the world. The current state of pig production in Africa was examined in this article, along with its opportunities, difficulties, and possibilities. Africa's pig population makes up 4.6% of all pigs worldwide. They are found all over Africa, with the exception of Northern Africa, where pig farming is discouraged for religious and cultural reasons. Smallholder farmers raise them mostly in rural areas of Africa, which explains why indigenous breeds and their hybrids make up the majority of the pig population in most of the continent. Pigs have cultural and social value and are essential to rural communities' ability to maintain their standard of living. Africa's pig production system is primarily traditional, but it is expanding quickly and changing to become more modern. Africa now produces more than 2 million tons of pork annually, up from less than a million tons in 2000. One of the primary factors limiting pig productivity in Africa is the prevalence of illness outbreaks, particularly African swine fever. Other factors include a lack of technical expertise and skills, high temperatures, restricted access to superior breeds, high feed and veterinary input costs, unwelcoming government regulations, prejudice based on religion and culture, inadequate processing facilities, and an underdeveloped value chain. The need for more food production is indicated by the estimated 2.5 billion people living in Africa by 2050, rising urbanization, and a decline in the number of farmers. For increased productivity and easier exporting, the pig production systems in Africa need developmental research, advances in housing, feed production and manufacture, animal health, processing, capacity building, and pig-friendly regulations.