Authors : Ammah Nii Ammah Dzormo and Osei- Amponsah Richard
Abstract: The Ashanti Dwarf Pig (ADP) of Ghana is a local pig breed with relatively good adaptive traits and tolerance to endemic diseases. However, under-utilization by farmers due to its comparatively low productivity has led to a reduction in its popularity compared to exotic genotypes. A study was undertaken to document conservation options and incentives to encourage sustainable use and conservation of the ADP. Views of stakeholders made up of pig farmers, researchers and policy makers were sampled using a pretested questionnaire. Incentives proposed to motivate local pig farmers include provision of subsidized/free feed (75%), housing materials (62%), capital (57%), means of transport (57%) and breeding stock (52%). A major challenge of researchers is lack of funding (80%) to undertake improvement and conservation programmes for the ADP. The most suitable conservation option proposed was in situ in the short term and ex situ in vitro in the long term. The adoption and funding of a conservation scheme for the ADP by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and stakeholders as well as provision of some incentives to farmers were recommended.
Ammah Nii Ammah Dzormo and Osei- Amponsah Richard, 2019. Incentives for Conserving Local Livestock Breeds: The Case of the Ashanti Dwarf Pig of Ghana. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 18: 35-41.