Dear Donor,
We are happy to share with the quarterly report for this project. The beneficiaries have been trained on “Strengthening farmers’ capacities for profitable pig and pig meat marketing”
The main objectives of the training were:
1. Build farmers capacities to meet market demand for pig products
2. Enable farmers demand for better pig prices from both local & foreign markets
3. Enable farmers enjoy economies of scale through collective marketing
4. Enable farmers understand pig farm product distribution channels for proper selection of farming system types
5. Increase the demand for sweet potato silage as pig feed.
1. OVERVIEW OF PIG MEAT PRODUCTION, TRADE AND CONSUMPTION
Many pig farmers are not fully aware of what is happening elsewhere in the country about their businesses. This not only affects their choice of markets but also reduces the motivation to carry out pig farming as a business. This session aimed at enhancing pig farmers ‘understanding of the status and importance of pig farming in the country in relation to pork production and trade of both live pigs and pork and levels of consumption of pig farm products today.
2. EMERGING MARKET OPPORTUNITIES FOR PIG MEAT PRODUCTION AND MARKETING
There has been many changes in trade, production and consumption of pigs in and, due to limited access to extension services by smallholder farmers, these have not been appreciated by pig farmers. The changes have created opportunities for improved pig production and marketing in the country. This session aimed at helping pig farmers to understand the different production and marketing opportunities available in pig industry today and the different strategies and ways to exploit them. This will enable them make use of such opportunities to enhance the quality and quantity of their production as well as improve profits from the available markets.
3. OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS OF DIFFERENT MARKETING CHANNELS
There are many different marketing channels for pig farm products and, like any other agricultural product, these present a number of opportunities and challenges. This session aimed at strengthening farmers’ capacities to evaluate the different marketing channels right from the choice of the required production system. The session also provided knowledge and skills required for characterizing the different customers and their specific needs.
4. STRATEGIES FOR IDENTIFYING BEST-BET MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES AND CHANNELS FOR INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE MARKETING
A quality farm product requires premium markets for profit maximization. Smallholder farmers usually concentrate on local butchers and pork joints which are sometimes exploitative and have no streamlined quality standards and appreciation. These limitations are created by mostly lack of necessary quantities and quality to penetrate premium markets. The session helped farmers understand the importance of collective marketing in accessing better markets and how to create and sustain farmer institutions. The session also helped farmers understand the different strategies (besides collective marketing) that can be adopted to identify best-bet market opportunities for both live pigs and pork. Furthermore, during this session, the possibility of abattoirs buying pigs from farmers also discussed, a suggestion which was welcomed by farmers from different areas.
5 HOW TO SEARCH FOR AND USE MARKET INFORMATION
The limited access to market information usually creates a gap between smallholder pig farmers and potential buyers. This makes it hard for pig farmers to correctly price their farm produce giving opportunity to pig traders to exploit them. During this session, discussions were made to find easy, quick and affordable ways to access market information at village level. It also explained different ways farmers can search for market information and its use to improve sales as well as production management to enhance business performance.
6 PRICING STRATEGIES FOR PIG FARM PRODUCTS
Due to the fact that many smallholder pig farmers do not manage their pig farms as business, they are price takers and pricing of what they sell is mainly done by the buyer. This heavily affects the profitability of their farming activities. In this session, farmers were trained to cost their farm products and the different strategies on how to come up with a competitive price on both local and foreign markets.
Let's keep joining our efforts in supporting the most vulnerable!
We thank you so much for your support on this project and we would like to support in making a difference in the lives of more women. We encourage you to donate monthly here. Even a few dollars a month will go a long way. Please also share this with your contacts and invite them to consider supporting this ongoing project. Thank you.