Site Pigtrop

The latest figures (FAO 1999) put the global pig population at 913 million or one pig for every six people in the world. More pork is produced than any other meat, and although the number of pigs in the tropical and sub-tropical developing regions of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean is relatively small compared with Asia, that figure has grown significantly in recent years. Much of the growth has taken place since the first edition of Pigs was published in The Tropical Agriculturalist series. That was back in 1991. Since then, a number of technological developments have offered new prospects for developing pig production in the tropics, though not all of them are suitable for small-scale producers.

In this thoroughly revised edition, David Holness examines some of the most interesting developments, including new findings on the effect of the immune system on pig productivity, genetic improvement techniques and changes in selection priorities. An entirely new section looks at feed additives while another discusses genetically modified feeds.

Along with the more theoretical discussions, there is plenty of practical information in this very readable book. One chapter looks at housing, including general design considerations and the relationship between pig productivity and comfort. Another examines health, with advice on disease prevention and diagnosis, while the final section deals with processing and marketing, with pages on transport, slaughter and meat hygiene.