Pigs are raised for consumption all over the world. Pork consumption has increased during the last decades leading to the intensification of pig production in many countries. On the other hand, traditional small production is still predominant in a lot of regions. The diversity of smallholder pig farming is high, but most smallholder pigs are kept for economic reasons and cultural practice (ceremony, religion…). They are usually essential for the farmer's livelihood.
Many events can negatively impact the animal, human and ecosystem healths in smallholder pig farming systems. Unfortunately, research studies to understand these systems are rare, and recommendations to improve health and production are usually not evidence-based. The global spread of the African swine fever (ASF) virus outside of Africa led the research community to study these systems more. Indeed, they may play a role in the virus epidemiology and may impact intensive production. However, research studies have focused on ASF and rarely extended to other adverse events affecting smallholder pig farming.
The goal of this Research Topic is to gather studies to describe the diversity of smallholder pig farming but the production and health issues that pig smallholders face. It is evident that this research topic can not be exhaustive of all the systems and all the adverse events. However, this topic aims to be a base to encourage research on smallholder pig farming, identify major problems faced by pig smallholders, and suggest evidence-based recommendations to improve the welfare of the pigs and the livelihood of the farmers. Ultimately, understanding the smallholder pig farming system would also help with the control of ASF.
Manuscripts focusing on any aspect of pig smallholder farming are welcomed. The following criteria (non-exhaustive) will be considered to define smallholders: low or medium level of biosecurity, overlapping of pig area with human and/or other species living areas, personal/family consumption and/or local value chain/markets, … Moreover, manuscripts with the objectives or the majority of the study focusing on African swine fever will not be considered.
All types of studies (epidemiology, sociology, economic, veterinary sciences, reviews,…) will be considered. The objective of the studies may include but are not limited to the following aspects:
- Production management of pig smallholder farming, including reproduction management
- Epidemiological study of communicable and non-communicable diseases
- Trial of intervention to improve pig smallholder farming
- Impact studies of pig smallholder farming on ecosystem healths
- Socio-economical studies
- Studies of zoonosis or other human health issues related to smallholder pig farming
Pigs are raised for consumption all over the world. Pork consumption has increased during the last decades leading to the intensification of pig production in many countries. On the other hand, traditional small production is still predominant in a lot of regions. The diversity of smallholder pig farming is high, but most smallholder pigs are kept for economic reasons and cultural practice (ceremony, religion…). They are usually essential for the farmer's livelihood.
Many events can negatively impact the animal, human and ecosystem healths in smallholder pig farming systems. Unfortunately, research studies to understand these systems are rare, and recommendations to improve health and production are usually not evidence-based. The global spread of the African swine fever (ASF) virus outside of Africa led the research community to study these systems more. Indeed, they may play a role in the virus epidemiology and may impact intensive production. However, research studies have focused on ASF and rarely extended to other adverse events affecting smallholder pig farming.
The goal of this Research Topic is to gather studies to describe the diversity of smallholder pig farming but the production and health issues that pig smallholders face. It is evident that this research topic can not be exhaustive of all the systems and all the adverse events. However, this topic aims to be a base to encourage research on smallholder pig farming, identify major problems faced by pig smallholders, and suggest evidence-based recommendations to improve the welfare of the pigs and the livelihood of the farmers. Ultimately, understanding the smallholder pig farming system would also help with the control of ASF.
Manuscripts focusing on any aspect of pig smallholder farming are welcomed. The following criteria (non-exhaustive) will be considered to define smallholders: low or medium level of biosecurity, overlapping of pig area with human and/or other species living areas, personal/family consumption and/or local value chain/markets, … Moreover, manuscripts with the objectives or the majority of the study focusing on African swine fever will not be considered.
All types of studies (epidemiology, sociology, economic, veterinary sciences, reviews,…) will be considered. The objective of the studies may include but are not limited to the following aspects:
- Production management of pig smallholder farming, including reproduction management
- Epidemiological study of communicable and non-communicable diseases
- Trial of intervention to improve pig smallholder farming
- Impact studies of pig smallholder farming on ecosystem healths
- Socio-economical studies
- Studies of zoonosis or other human health issues related to smallholder pig farming
