Pig farmers in the country have been advised to adhere to proper feeding methods and standards if the local pig farming industry is to achieve effective productive growth to compete in the international market.

Presently, pig-farming ranks among the booming businesses in some parts of the country, particularly in Ashanti and its environs. It is observed that the high demand for poultry products and meat have shifted to pork in the local market - wooing more people to venture into pig farming which hitherto was collapsing as a result of low patronage.

However, despite this development, pig farming -- just like the poultry and other livestock farming -- is bedevilled by numerous challenges, notable among which is the use of nutritious feed to ensure healthy growth of the animals for consumption.

It is against this backdrop that Mr. Kwame Ampong, Chairman of the Ashanti Region Pig Farmers Association, at a seminar for pig farmers and other stakeholders in Kumasi firmly emphasised use of the right nutritious feed for livestock.

Mr. Boris Baidoo, Chief Executive Officer of Boris B’s Farms and Veterinary Services, organiser of the seminar, explained that the forum among other things was to deliberate on how to address some of the challenges confronting the livestock industry.

He further reiterated the call on pig farmers to give their animals the required feed, and pledged that his outfit -- being one of the giant distributors of animal feed and drugs with offices all over the Ashanti Region -- is ready to assist farmers in any way possible in this respect.

He recommended pig farmers to use the Hendrix and Boris B’s pig farmers feed, which is Ghana Standard Board approved and has been introduced into the market.

Dr. Fintim Dansoh, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo Regional Zonal Veterinary Officer, said the Konongo Municipality this year recorded disease outbreaks as a result of poor checks by some pig farmers.

While he indicated that the disease was thoroughly dealt with by veterinary officers in the Municipality, he advised that farmers attend to their animals properly and also endeavour to mix the concentrate with the right quantity of feed to keep the pigs in good condition and for consumption.