The livestock sub-sector of agriculture is currently booming in Cross River State as the number of pork meat consumers has increased.
A livestock farmer in Calabar, Obinna Oriaku said pig business has become very lucrative as people in the state relish pork meat as a delicacy.
“Even though it is very costly and difficult to rear pigs yet I want to encourage all to go into the business because it is now lucrative.
“Pig farming is very wonderful and rewarding. It can help to boost the livelihoods of citizens,” Oriaku said.
He said a piglet is sold for N50,000 while the grown up goes for at least N80,000.
Oriaku added that most farmers rear the foreign breed of pig because it does not have too much fat.
“Meat traders from local markets usually place orders for them. The pigs we rear do not have fat like others. Even other rearers come for our type of breed. We have ready markets for our pigs beyond Calabar. ”
Oriaku however explained that, due to the current high inflation rate in the country, the prices of pigs had been jerked up, a development which he attributed to high cost of feeds and veterinary services.
“We used to buy ‘wheat over’, one of the feeds for the pigs at N5,000 per bag two months ago. Today, it goes for N15,000 per bag. And a bag of PKC we mix with the wheat over now sells for N10,000.
“The only thing that appears affordable is the dry cassava peels we source easily.”
He admitted that it is difficult to rear pigs since they are naturally dirty animals, adding that there is a need to always clean up the Pen.
Oriaku equally called on the state government to encourage livestock farming to ensure food security.
Pig farmers smile to the bank in Cross River as residents relish pork meat