Livestock Systems

Identifying husbandry options for smallholder pig farmers in Timor-Leste

Pigs
Project code
LS/2017/102
Program
Livestock Systems
Budget
AUD 250,000
Research program manager
Dr Anna Okello
Project leader
Tamsin Barnes, University of Queensland
Commissioned organisation
The University of Queensland
Duration:
MAR 2018
MAR 2020
Project status
Concluded
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Overview

This project aimed to identify husbandry practices that can be practically applied by smallholder pig farmers in Timor-Leste to enable them to improve pig production

Historically, pigs have been the second most numerous livestock species raised in Timor-Leste, however, pig production systems are extremely low input/low output.

Prior to the start of this project, it was considered there was the potential to improve the efficiency of smallholder pork production in Timor-Leste. With the introduction of African swine fever (ASF), effective biosecurity that is practical in the smallholder system became another requirement for successful pig production.

Project outcomes

  • Understanding of current pig husbandry practices.
  • Identifed what changes in practice are feasible, particularly in relation to improving:
    • pig diets
    • piglet and grower health and survival.
  • Conducted small trials or research demonstration experiments to assess modified husbandry practices.
  • Provided relevant farm-based training in basic pig husbandry to farmers and other stakeholders.
Livestock
Key partners
TOMAK, To'os ba Moris Di'ak, Timor-Leste
Charles Sturt University, Australia
Documents
final report placeholder image
Final report LS/2017/102