The Pig Farmers Association of Nigeria (PIFAN) has called on all levels of government to prioritise land, funding, and resources to boost pig production and fully develop the sector’s value chain.
The appeal was made by Prof. Akin Adesehinwa, PIFAN President, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.
Adesehinwa criticised the limited attention given to pig farmers compared with other livestock sectors such as cattle and poultry. He urged governments and the public to stop seeing pig production only as a source of pork.
“The pig subsector has huge economic potential. With proper support, it can transform the economy and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s GDP,” he said.
He stressed that governments should give pig farmers the same support provided to herders and poultry farmers, including access to key inputs like maize, soybean, groundnut cake, and cottonseed. “Livestock production is not only about cattle,” he added.
Adesehinwa noted that Nigeria is the largest pig producer in Africa, despite limited government intervention. He highlighted the extensive value chain, which includes cosmetics, brushes, leather for shoes, bags, belts, as well as manure for crops and biogas generation.
He also emphasised that pig farming helps reduce unemployment, empower youth and women, and earn foreign exchange. “Many members of our association, whether graduates or not, have built sustainable livelihoods, trained their children, and acquired assets through pig farming,” he said.
