Analysis of the Environmental Effect of Pig Production in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria

The economic and social benefits of livestock cannot be over emphasized (Bradshan et al 2004; FAO 2009). Livestock provide essential commodities and services to man in form of animal by-product (like meat, milk, hides and skins,) source of draught power, manure to enhance soil fertility and serves as a capital reserve available during hard times (Sudahmed, 2008; Tewe et al; 2009). Among the livestock that is used to alleviate man’s animal protein defficiency particularly in rural areas of most developing countries of sub - Sahara Africa is pig (Tewe et al; 2009) The wide acceptability of pig production especially by small holder farmers could be attributed to its’ high survival rate and ability to utilize a host of agro-industrial by-products and crop residues with little or no processing and at minimal cost (Sudahmed, 2008). Furthermore, pig is known to be prolific producer as it is capable of realizing 20 to 30 piglets from 2 or 3 liters per year and is capable of attaining slaughter weight of about 80 to 90kg in about 7 to 9 months under good management (Ajala et al 2007; John 2011). 

The availability of Palm kernel cake, courtesy of NIPROC Company (A palm kernel processing company) has resulted in spontaneous rise in pig production in the study area. Here, pigs are raised in unconventional pens such as part of residential houses and uncompleted residential building without the course of maintaining the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation of 500 meters to residential houses. In effect, pig production is growing out of balance with the environment, resulting  in environmental degradation which is primarily in form of air pollution (Sudahmed, 2008). Studies showed that air pollution in pig production arises from their excretion of excess dietary phosphorus and other minerals, inappropriate housing conditions which give rise to obnoxious odours and inappropriate manure and animal waste handling systems and their operations (Ajala et al 2007; John 2011; Hatfield 2008). To complicate the above scenario, the pig farmers in most of the developing countries catch on corruption and poor policy implementation of environmental protection by regulatory bodies in the region to recklessly dispose their animal’s wastes in large open lagoon and other unacceptable methods without minding the associated repercussions to the environment and the environs (Okolo, 2011). For instance, the open air lagoon practice of waste disposal is capable of releasing green house gases (ammonia, nitrogen and methane) which is capable of raising the environmental temperature through destroying the lithosphere, hence releasing heat to the earth (John, 2007). Furthermore, the foul odour, flies and mosquitoes breed in manure pit are grassed continually to the neighbouring communities (Hatfield, 2008). Even, the noise from the animal is capable of causing noise – induced hearing loss, cardiovascular effects in humans and an increased frequency of coronary artery disease (Young; 2009). In animals, noise can escalate the risk of death by altering predator or prey detection and avoidance, inhibit reproduction and navigation (Ajala et al; 2007). Studies showed that the effects of green house gases are respiratory problem, global warming, acidic rain, acidification, autrophication of the surrounding ecosystem, source of explosive and hearing losses (Rademacher 2009; John 2011). Furthermore, the flies and mosquitoes are capable of transmitting diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and malaria and bilabial to man ([Powers et al; 2011) 

However, environmental pollution by pig production can be minimized through adopting the following strategies, include seeking permit for construction of  standard pig building from environmental Protection agency, adherence to 500 metres from pig pen to residential houses, appropriate waste disposal or handling system and proper precision feed management (Ewuziem, 2008). The waste disposal system could be in form of open lagoon; dumping in the farm, store in bag, heap waste and burn and sales of waste (John 2011; Powers et al 2011). The choice of the appropriate waste disposal method is affected by among other factors, the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers (Ume, et al; 2018)