Uganda’s agriculture ministry adopts PigSmart resources to train extension workers

The Uganda Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industries and Fisheries (MAAIF) has adopted PigSmart platform resources to support the training of veterinarians and farmers and expand the adoption of pig farming as a livelihood option for smallholder farmers in the country.

The PigSmart platform gives up-to-date information for extension service providers, while delivering multimedia solutions directly to farmers.

The materials are being trialed in Kalangala, an island district in Lake Victoria.

Previously dependent on fishing for their livelihood, the islanders are embracing other income-generating activities.

A scoping mission conducted by the MAAIF Oil Palm project in 2024, identified pig farming as the best alternative source of income to palm oil cultivation for smallholder farmers, owing to the benefits it provides—limited capital investment including land, quick return on investment, and can be managed by all members of the household, among others.

‘We carried out a scoping mission in Kalangala District under the Oil Palm project in 2024, which identified pig farming as a viable option to palm oil cultivation for smallholder farmers because it can be started and operated with limited funds compared to palm oil farming which requires sizeable land and funds for the planting and management of plantations,’ said Grace Asiimwe, principal veterinary officer at MAAIF.

Under the livelihood project that started in July 2025, the ministry will provide two piglets to each of the 393 female and 107 male farmers being supported.

To ensure the project’s success, in April 2025, MAAIF trained veterinary extension officers in the district on best pig management practices.

Twelve veterinarians were trained using the PigSmart digital extension messages, which were developed by scientists from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) under the CGIAR Initiative on Sustainable Animal Productivity.

The training included best practices and innovations in pig feeding, herd health management, improved genetics, manure management and heat stress management.

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Photo: Free ranging smallholder piglets in Kamuli district, Uganda (ILRI/Eliza Smith)

Curated by Tezira Lore, Communication Officer, ILRI