Economic Implication of Foetal Wastages through Slaughter of Pregnant Pigs: A Case Study of the Makurdi Municipal Abattoir in Benue State, Nigeria
Paul O. Amuta *
Department of Animal Health and Production, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria
Kevin A. Tordue
Department of Animal Health and Production, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria
Caleb A. Kudi
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Linus I. Mhomga
Department of Animal Health and Production, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This study was designed to determine the economic implication of foetal wastages through the slaughter of pregnant pigs (sows/gilts).
Study Design: Longitudinal study.
Place and Duration of Study: The municipal abattoir in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria served as the main source of empirical data. The abattoir was visited daily for 120 days over a period of 4 months (September to December, 2012).
Methodology: At each visit, the number and sex of pigs slaughtered, number of pregnant sows/gilts slaughtered, number of foetuses wasted and ages of the foetuses (which also indicated the stage of pregnancy of the dam) were recorded. A deterministic economic model was used to estimate the foregone revenues resulting from slaughter of pregnant sows.
Results: A total of 2095 pigs were slaughtered of which 39.46% were male and 60.54% were female. The total number of foetuses wasted was 969, revealing a monthly average of 242. The prevalence of pregnant female slaughtering was 9.0% whereas prevalence of foetal wastage was 76.55%. Frequency of foetal wastage decreased with increase in stage of pregnancy and the average male to female sex ratio of wasted foetuses was 45.76:56.24.
Foregone revenue for a single wasted foetus was estimated at ₦11,400-₦17,400.00 ($32.02-$48.88), while the average daily, monthly and annual foregone revenues of the abattoir were ₦75,292.25-₦114,919.75 ($211.50-$322.81), ₦2,258,767.50-₦3,447,592.50 ($6,344.85-$9,684.25) and ₦27,105,210.00-₦41,371,110.00 ($76,138.23-$116,210.98) respectively.
Conclusion: Curbing this huge economic waste through purposefully developed strategies (by both government and non-governmental organizations) as well as strictly supervised interventions is highly advocated.
Keywords: Foetal wastage, pregnant female slaughtering, deterministic model, Nigeria