Training on Pig and Goat Farming.

TRAINING OF 15 SELECTED BENEFICIARIES IN CLUSTER B OF KNP AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PILOT PIG/GOAT FARMS IN THE TARGETED COMMUNITIES OF KNP

The Program for Sustainable Management of Natural Resources Cameroon, South West Region (PSMNR-SWR) is a development program of the Government of Cameroon, co-financed by the Federal Republic of Germany through KFW and implemented through the Regional Delegation of MINFOF for the South West Region, assisted by the GFA/DFS consulting group. PSMNR-SWR efforts are directed to encourage collaborative management in Protected Areas (PA), thereby contributing to livelihood improvement of affected stakeholders through Income Generating Activities (IGA) and selected socio-economic infrastructures, mainly in villages in and around the targeted Protected Areas (the Korup National Park, Mount Cameroon National Park, Takamanda National Park, Banyang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary and the Bakossi National Park). WWF works in close collaboration with the parks and sanctuary to achieve expected results.

1. WORK DONE

1.1 Preparatory phase

This consisted of the elaboration of a training manual for pig and goat production each by ESUDEV. The manuals were prepared in PowerPoint format based on the articulations spelt out in the training protocol of the validated terms of reference. The prepared training manuals were then presented during a working session to the PSMNR-SW staff who were the organisers of the workshop as well as a representative of WWF (the funding body). Proposals for amendment were made and the go ahead given for the printing of the manuals after the amendments.

1.1 Operational phase

In order to facilitate the execution of the training and to avoid confusing the participants, the flow of the training protocol was altered a little. Instead of touching both goats and pigs simultaneously under each topic to be treated, the first two days were allocated solely for the training on pig farming while goat farming was handled during the remaining two days.

The training methodology used was Powerpoint presentation of short sequences followed comprehensive question and answer sessions. However, in order to facilitate their understanding, participants were free to interrupt the facilitator and ask questions each time they did not understand a concept that was presented. A participant-centred approach was used whereby for each sequence to be treated, the participants were asked to give their personal experiences/ideas/opinions and the facilitator used them steadily introduce them to the right information.

The training therefore proceeded as follows:

Day 1 – Pig farming

a) Advantages of pig farming

b) Breeds of pigs (local and exotic) with their pictures and characteristics. At this point most of the participants expressed their interest especially in the naima breed of pigs due to its ability to produce large litter sizes.

c) Site selection for pig breeding which involved the parameters to be considered when choosing a site for the implantation of a pig farm

d) Production systems which include free range, semi-intensive and intensive systems with their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages

e) Housing and climate: Here, the construction of pig houses was tackled in relation to the environment and its effect on pigs. Various types of pig buildings were presented with their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. The floor space requirement for each category of pig was also visited. Based on these and their economic/financial capacities, the participants freely chose the model of pig house they would love to go in for as shown below.

The building is should be made of the strongest possible wood and the spaces in walls should be as small as possible to prevent the pigs from destroying them rapidly. The floor would be made of slats with spaces of about 1.5 cm (just enough to allow urine and faeces pass through). The roof is to be made of corrugated iron sheets and could be v-shaped (slant on two sides) or with just side as shown in the picture. The drinkers and feeders are to be made with local materials such as old tyres or wheel drums partially filled with sand/cement mortar to make them solid, heavy and without leaks.

Day 2 – Pig farming (continued)

a) Management of sows: This involved guiding the participants on how to select breeding female pigs (sows), knowing the mating age, signs of heat, when to breed, signs of farrowing (birth) and the preparation for farrowing.

b) Management of piglets: In this sequence, the care of piglets from birth to weaning was treated. This involved farrowing (cleaning, heating, sucking of the colostrum, cutting and disinfecting of the umbilical cord, teeth clipping), administration of iron, identification, castration, etc.

c) Management of boars: Here, discussions were focused on how to select breeding male pigs (boars), mating age and frequency of services per boar per week.

d) Feeding of pigs: In this sequence, classification of feed ingredients was done with emphasis on locally available feed ingredients. The various nutrients supplied by feed ingredients was also treated with their use in the body. Then, the nutritional requirements of each category of pigs (piglets, fatteners, boars, gestating sows, lactating sows) was treated. Pig feed rationing was also treated the presentation of the approximate daily quantity of feed needed for each category and how the animals should be fed. Feed storage and conservation was also treated.

Day 3 – Pig farming (continued and end)

a) Farm records: Here, the importance of keeping farm records was made known to the participants with some examples of farm records that can be kept. The principle of ear-notching for the identification of piglets was visited.

b) Health management: Discussions here were centred on how to prevent diseases (prophylaxis) and how the common swine diseases. This sequence started with hygiene prophylaxis (biosecurity) which consisted of all hygiene and security measures aimed at protected animals from infection, infestation and predators without the use of any drugs or vaccine. Thereafter, medical prophylaxis (prevention using drugs and vaccines) was handled for sows, piglets and boars respectively and ended with the most common swine diseases (causes, symptoms, and treatment/prevention). The sequence ended with an overview of the most common swine diseases, their causes, symptoms and treatment/prevention.

c) Veterinary sanitary inspection: The participants were schooled on the importance of veterinary sanitary inspection of slaughtered animals before consumption. They were also informed that it is an obligatory activity which is part of the veterinary laws voted by Parliament and promulgated by the Head of State. Information was given to them on how the two types of veterinary sanitary inspections, which are ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections, are carried out.

d) Practical sessions: These took two main forms, a video projection session and a visit to a newly-construction concrete piggery. The videos projected were gotten from YouTube whereby the participants saw different types of pig and goat farming systems practised in other parts of the world. They were mostly captivated and impressed by the highly automated intensive systems practised in some countries whereby the animals are slaughtered on the spot and the meat packaged before being sent to the market. They also saw how a local pig farmer takes care of his pigs before, during and after farrowing in a semi-intensive system.

For the visit to the newly-constructed concrete pig farm, the attention of the participants was drawn to the orientation of the building to avoid direct sunlight, the height of the walls for aeration/ventilation, the slope of the floor and drainage system for easy cleaning and the inbuilt feeders and drinkers.

Day 4 – Goat farming

Given that certain sequences treated under pig farming were also applicable to goat farming, they were not treated again. They include classification of feed ingredients and classes of nutrients, record-keeping, veterinary sanitary inspection.

a) Advantages of goat farming

b) Breeds of goats (local and exotic) with their pictures and characteristics.

c) Production systems which include extensive system with an option of rotational grazing, semi-intensive system and the intensive or zero-grazing system. The characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of each system were treated.

d) Housing of goat: Here, the site selection and construction of goat barns/sheds was treated. Various types of pig buildings were presented with their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. The floor space requirement for each category of goats was also treated. Based on these and their economic/financial capacities, the participants freely chose the model of goat house they would love to go in for as shown below.

The building is should be made of the strongest possible wood and the floor would be made of slats with spaces of about 1.5 cm (just enough to allow urine and faeces pass through). The roof is to be made of corrugated iron sheets and could be v-shaped (slant on two sides) or with just side as shown in the picture. The feeding racks are to be inbuilt with plank while drinkers can be made from local materials such as old tyres partially filled with sand/cement mortar to make them solid, heavy and without leaks, or buckets

a) Management of bucks: Here, discussions were mainly focused on how to select breeding male goats (bucks). The male-female mating ratios were also indicated.

b) Management of does: In this sequence, discussions were centred on the selection of breeding female goats (does), mating age, onset/signs and duration of heat, confirmation of gestation, how to prepare for kidding (birth) and onset of kidding.

Day 5 – Goat farming (end)

a) Breeding and mating system: The participants were schooled the two breeding systems (crossbreeding and pure breeding) and the two mating systems (random mating and assortative mating). They breeding and mating systems were described and their advantages and disadvantages discussed. A classical breeding calendar was also presented and discussed with the participants.

b) Management of kids: Here, the care of kids during and after kidding was treated. These include allowing the doe to groom (clean/lick) the kid, ensuring the kid drinks colostrum, cutting and disinfecting the navel, good housing condition (protection against cold, strong air current, dust, disease and predators), feeding, weaning, identification and castration. Different methods of castration were discussed which included the bloodless (Burdizo and elastic band methods) and the bloody of surgical method.

c) Feeding of goats: In this sequence, some nutritive plant species for goats were introduced. Participants were also informed that goats can live only on grass but in order for them to have better performances, compounded feed could be given to them alongside salt or mineral licks/blocks. The quantity of grass, compounded feed and water needed for different classes of goats were also presented to the participants

d) Health management: Just like with pigs, discussions were centred on disease prevention (biosecurity) and an overview of the most common caprine diseases, their causes, symptoms and treatment/prevention, accompanied with pictures.

The activity was generally carried out successfully despite the shortcomings and the beneficiaries expressed their satisfaction with the knowledge they have acquired.