Does backyard-keeping of native sows by smallholders in quezon, philippines, offer sustainability benefits compared to more intensive management of exotic sow breeds?

Abstract

© Author(s) 2020. The present study in Quezon, Philippines, assessed the sustainability of small-scale production systems, based either on native or on exotic sow breeds, using different survey tools in a socio-economic approach. In two research periods, data sets with 49 and 68 households, respectively, all smallholder farmers keeping ≤ 5 sows, were compiled. In 2016, four municipalities were purposively selected, each representing one of Quezon’s four districts. In 2017, two municipalities, both with larger populations of native pigs, were re-visited in order to review and supplement the previously obtained information. Small-scale pig production based on native sow breeds could result in less local environmental load than that based on exotic sows, as indicated by a significantly closer approximation to organic standards, and a reduced public health impact. However, native sows were less productive than exotic sows, thus allowing only a reduced live weight offtake per household and year (274 vs. 607 kg). Regarding economic viability, both pig production systems were equally cost-effective and required similar weekly labour hours. The advantage of basing production on exotic sows was the possibility to make larger investments, a financial function that could not be met by native sows. The revenues from marketing piglets and porkers from native sows were low, preventing a better outcome. Conversion to organic production and certification could represent one strategy for development given that increasing the value added is putatively the only way to improve the cost-effectiveness of the production from native pigs in Quezon.

Source or Periodical Title

Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics

ISSN

16129830

Page

43-55

Document Type

Article

Subject

Antibiotic, Local breeds, Organic farming, Pig

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