BREEDING PRACTICES AND TRAITS OF PREFERENCE FOR SELECTION OF PIGS BY MALE AND FEMALE SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Background. Pig farming is one of the most important livestock raised in Nigeria by smallholder farmers. Objective. To determine the breeding practices and breeding traits of preference by pig farmers in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Methodology. A total of 120 pig rearers (62 males and 58 females) were randomly sampled. Primary data were collected through individual structured questionnaire administration. Chi square (χ2) statistics was used to compare categorical variables. Arithmetic means and their standard errors of continuous variables between gender were tested using T- Test. Ranking of the eight traits of preference (body size, body conformation, mothering ability, survival, heat tolerance, disease resistance, fertility and temperament) was carried out using the non-parametric Friedman Test (Wilcoxon Signed-rank test for post hoc analysis) as well as Kruskal–Wallis H Test (with Mann– Whitney U Test for means separation). Multivariate Clustering Analysis was also explored to group the farmers on gender basis. Results. The source as well as the number of foundation stock varied between the sexes (P= 0.048 and 0.028, respectively). Average flock size was higher (20.31±2.21 versus 14.78±1.53; P<0.05) where the pigs were under the management of male farmers. This reflected more in pigs of mixed genotypes compared to the indigenous ones. The number of piglets/sow/annum (14.77±0.77 versus 12.29±0.54; 16.36±0.76 versus 14.02±0.58; P ≤ 0.05) was also higher in flocks of male farmers for both indigenous pigs and those of mixed blood. Between-gender, all the preference traits were ranked similarly (P>0.05) apart from temperament which was more highly rated by the males. However, the multivariate analysis revealed that body size and body conformation were more associated with the female farmers while survival, disease resistance, heat tolerance, mothering ability and temperament were more preferred by their male counterparts. Implication. The traits of economic importance obtained in this study may guide future community-based pig genetic improvement programmes in a tropical environment. Conclusion. The present study revealed the importance of body size, body conformation, mothering ability, survival, heat tolerance, disease resistance and fertility in the selection of breeding pigs. However, these traits were differentially rated by male and female farmers.