Pig rearing has gradually become one of the lucrative business in Ghana, especially in the Eastern Region.
The animal which produces pork meat, has in the olden days been described as demonic following a report of what transpired in the past according to the Holy Bible.
However, the situation is far different from this modern world as pork meat is now on high demand.
Most people in the region and Ghana as a whole have ventured into the pig rearing business with some making it a part time job to support their already existing jobs.
Despite the stressful and cost involved in taking care of pigs until they are matured, people still find it as the best alternative to getting rich early.
According source, pigs takes four months to habour and deliver piglets, hence it can deliver twice yearly if they are well taken care of in terms of feeding.
Averagely, pigs can produce 5-20 piglets every six months depending upon their years of existence on earth.
“A young pig beginning to produce young ones can give birth to 5-7 piglets whilst older ones can produce about 9-20 piglets every four months. It takes another two months to feed the piglets and after that you cross it with a male” a pig farmer, Mr. Hormenu told the reporter.
The farmer also narrated “pigs usually eat most leaves we see around us but it takes a lot of time and commitment to go to the bush and look for such leaves. We sometimes buy feed and mixed it with other foods to give to them. We also resort to chop bars for leftovers to support the feeding but it all comes with cost”.
Asking a section of the public their views on pig rearing and intake of pork meat, some were of the view the increase in pig rearing is a recipe to dealing with the unemployment situation in Ghana and called for Government support for farmers.
Others urged the Government, cooperate bodies and NGOs to invest in pig rearing as it comes with many advantages that can help in the economic transformation of the country and also deal with the increasing rate of unemployment.
The reporter can emphatically say pork meat is the common meat you can find at any pub, spots, drinking bars and other public places as it is believed to be rich in fats and good for those who takes in alcohol.
There are a lot of joints scattered in our communities both day and night that deals in fresh and fried pork meat to serve the growing lovers of the meat.
Checks also revealed a 6-8 months pig can be sold between Ghc400-600 depending on the size while a 1year old pig can also be sold for Ghc800-1,000 per the its size.
However, the big ones over a year and beyond sometimes go for in between Ghc1,500-2,000 per the size.
May be it is time for Government to consider making pig rearing a major priority and assist farmers to be able to cut the tonnes of pork meat imported into the country yearly.
Source: My rytnewsroom.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma