Governance structures and constraints along the Ugandan smallholder pig value chains

Despite the numerous constraints facing the smallholder pig value chain in Uganda, it has been identified as one of the subsectors with high prospects for pro-poor growth due to the rising demand for pork and pork products. This paper focusses on the smallholder pig value chain governance structures and describes the constraints along the value chain. Awareness of the governance structure of the value chain is important in providing information on the types of interventions that can be targeted to the smallholder actors to upgrade their position in the chain. The findings show that the Uganda pig value chain is characterised by spot market transactions with limited contractual or hierarchical arrangements. Traders participate in horizontal collaboration to improve their competitive position in the value chain. The constraints affecting pig producers comprise pig diseases, low market prices for pig products, lack of reliable market and inaccurate estimation of pig weight at the point of sale. The live pig traders were the most powerful actors in the value chain but still faced challenges such as bad debts, high market prices and lack of enough capital while livestock feed traders predominantly mentioned presence of poor quality feeds in the market. Development of contractual relationships would help to tap domestic and export markets for pork products and reduce uncertainties. Besides, establishing proper breeding program and periodic training of farmers and drug stockists about new drugs in the market and animal husbandry practices would contribute to increased performance of pig industry