By Ebele Iyke Odili
The Anambra State Government has expressed its readiness to support initiatives aimed at strengthening pig farming, processing and market access as the Pig Farmers Association of Anambra State sought government intervention to develop the sector. The association made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Commerce, Hon. Nomso Chukwuma Ebonwu, on Sept. 1, at his office in Awka.
Receiving the delegation, Hon. Ebonwu conveyed the goodwill of the Solution 2.0 administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo and assured the farmers that their concerns and requests would receive due attention. The commissioner, however, urged the association to compile and submit a comprehensive database of pig farmers across the state to enable government obtain accurate information on the sector and design appropriate interventions.
Hon. Ebonwu also directed the association to prepare a well-structured proposal for a proposed pig festival, which he said should be organised soon to raise public awareness, showcase the economic opportunities in pig farming and attract investment into the industry.
The association disclosed that Anambra State has an estimated 1,000 pig farmers, with some farms representing investments worth several hundreds of millions of naira.
The farmers emphasised the need for enhanced infrastructure, increased investment, strengthened quality-control measures and improved market access to promote the sustainable growth of the sector and unlock its full economic potential. Among their major demands was the establishment of a modern abattoir and a structured pig farming cluster, which they described as a “Pig Village.” According to them, the facility would promote organised production, processing, packaging and other activities across the pig value chain.
The association also called for stronger regulation and quality control of pigs transported into the South-East from other parts of the country, particularly the northern region, to safeguard livestock quality and protect both local farmers and consumers.
They further appealed for increased access to funding and investors to enable farmers expand their operations, while urging government to support the development of modern processing and packaging facilities. The farmers explained that many producers currently rely heavily on butchers who buy pigs at relatively low prices and subsequently make higher profits through processing and resale.
The association also stressed the need to stimulate demand, improve market access, encourage cluster farming and create greater public awareness of the economic opportunities available in pig farming. They expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between the government and stakeholders would help unlock the sector’s potential, create jobs and strengthen the state’s agricultural value chain.
The Pig Farmers Association appreciated the state government, through the Commissioner for Commerce, for granting them an audience and listening to their concerns, reaffirming its commitment to working with the government to build a stronger and more sustainable pig farming industry in Anambra.
Ebele Iyke Odili is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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