Production Practices and Profitability Analysis of Swine Raisers in Mlang, Cotabato

Abstract

Swine farming is an important agricultural activity that involves raising swine for pork production and income generation. It plays a significant role in the food supply and supports the livelihood of many farmers, especially in rural areas. This study examined the production practices and profitability analysis of swine raisers in Mlang, Cotabato. Specifically, it looked into the socio-demographic profile of the respondents, the production practices of the swine raisers, the cost and return analysis of swine raisers and the major constraints encountered by swine raisers.
A descriptive research design was employed in the study. The respondents consisted of 50 swine raisers who manage small-scale swine farms with fewer than twenty pigs (<20). A survey questionnaire was used to gather data from the respondents. The results revealed that most swine farmers were within the ideal age of 39-45 years old, were married, and had formal education. All respondents had no formal training in swine farming; most had 3-7 years of experience, and all used their personal savings as their source of capital. Most of them raised 6-10 crossbred pigs. Almost all respondents fed their swine three times a day and provided commercial feeds. Most kept their swine in concrete housing with swine drinkers and utilized family members as labor. All respondents also consulted veterinarians when needed.
The return on investment was 40.59%, which implies that swine raising was profitable. However, the major constraints faced by the respondents were the high cost of feeds and unstable pricing. The findings suggest that small-scale swine farming with fewer than 20 pigs (<20) in M’lang, Cotabato is profitable and can serve as a viable source of income for farmers despite challenges such as high feed costs and unstable prices. This study recommends that swine raisers be provided with training, technical support, and access to affordable feeds to improve production practices and address the challenges they face.