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 tested 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 as it provides benefits such as limited land and capital investment, quick return on investment, and ability to be be managed by all members of the household.
'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. The population of Kalangala District in 2024 was 74,411, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.
Ensuring sustainability
To ensure the project’s success, MAAIF conducted a ‘best pig management practices’ training for veterinary extension officers in the district on 10 April 2025.
Twelve veterinarians were trained using the PigSmart digital extension messages, which were developed by 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.
The PigSmart platform comprises 15 interactive audio skits, each running for five to six minutes on different pig production practices.
The skits are recorded in Luganda, the language mainly used in the Central region, where Kalangala is located, to enhance farmer comprehension and engagement.
'PigSmart is helping improve pig farming, not only in Kalangala but other parts of Uganda, by promoting access to tailor-made messages on areas that the farmers often find challenging. The ministry appreciates ILRI’s efforts in building the capacity of different players in the pig value chain,' Asiimwe added.
According to Emily Ouma, ILRI’s country representative in Uganda,
'PigSmart is more than an extension platform, it is a comprehensive digital ecosystem strategically designed to address the unique challenges small-scale pig farmers in Uganda face.'
Alongside the digital messages, ILRI provided printed information, education and communication materials to MAAIF to boost training on pig production.
