WASTE, ENVIRONMENTAL AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES IN SMALL-SCALE PIG FARMS IN EASTERN ZONE OF IMO STATE, SOUTHEASTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study evaluated waste, environmental, and disease management challenges in small-scale pig farms in eastern zone of Imo State, Southeastern Nigeria. Primary data generated through structured questionnaires from 32 farmers, made up of 17 from Owerri West Local Government Area (OWL), and 15 from Aboh-Mbaise LGA (AML) were used for the study. Most of the farmers (46.88%) practiced open burning of the pig wastes, while other disposed of them at dump sites (37.50%), or farm lands and sales as fertilizer (21.88% each), and other uses (28.13%). The major environmental challenges were air pollution (43.75%), land degradation (12.50%), and conflict with neighbors (6.25%). The major diseases, and clinical signs encountered were diarrhea, worm infestation, and foot rot (78.13 – 96.88%), trypanosomosis (50.00%), mange and mites (46.88%), swine fever (40.63%), bacterial and respiratory infections (34.38% each). The common drugs used in managing disease conditions included ivermectin (96.88%), iron dextran (96.88%), vitamin, and antibiotics injections (87.50% each), and trypanosides among others. There is the need to train the farmers on simple waste management approaches that will help to mitigate the environmental and health problems encountered in the farms