Nigerian Pig Farmers seek Government support to boost value chain

The Pig Farmers Association of Nigeria has called on governments at all levels to prioritise access to land, finance and other critical resources to strengthen pig production and fully develop the sector’s value chain. The association says pig farmers continue to receive limited policy attention compared with other livestock subsectors, despite the industry’s capacity to contribute significantly to national economic growth.

According to the association, pig production should not be viewed solely through the lens of pork consumption, but as a broad economic activity with strong potential to boost gross domestic product. Pig farmers rely on the same feed resources as poultry producers and cattle herders, yet receive far fewer targeted interventions. The group stated that livestock development policies should be more inclusive, recognising pig farming as an integral part of the wider livestock economy rather than focusing primarily on cattle.

Nigeria remains Africa’s largest producer of pigs, and the association maintains that with adequate support the subsector could deliver substantial gains in employment, youth and women empowerment, and foreign exchange earnings. Beyond meat production, pig farming supports a wide value chain including leather goods, cosmetics, manure for crop production and biogas generation. Strengthened government backing, the association says would enable pig farming to play a larger role in job creation, sustainable livelihoods and export growth.