Jamaican female group improve livelihoods under FAO’s Pig Farming Project
A Little over a year after its implementation, members of the Lydford/Moneague women’s farmer Group have been reaping Pig Production successes beyond the initial projections.
The group of women from the rural Lydford/Moneague communities in South East St. Ann with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Jamaica have turned to pig production to support themselves and their families in the absence of opportunities once linked to the bauxite sector.
Under a project that began in 2016, the FAO equipped the group of nine (9) women with financial resources and technical expertise to provide additional employment for women in the community and also expose them to pork production and business Management skills. Since then, the project’s beneficiaries have been commending the FAO for what they say have contributed to the improvement of their income and livelihood opportunities.
Under the project, an 880 square feet piggery unit and adjacent sow paddock was created and the group presented with 15 pigs (three pregnant gilts, two maiden gilts and ten weaner pigs) as well as feed and medication inputs.
Notably, women in the group were also trained in livestock management, land and animal husbandry; animal bio safety and reproduction. The women also received business development training to include marketing and book-keeping.
To date, the group now has 42 pigs and counting and are looking to sustain the positive gains by expanding to agriculture micro-enterprising. Based on the active jerk seasoning and sauce industry in neighbouring Golden Grove and Walkers wood communities, the Lydford/Moneague Women’s Group is assessing ways to move up the value chain for processed pork. There is also an opportunity to engage Community youth through collaboration with the newly opened Jeffrey Ville Agricultural School in Moneague.
Images (c)FAO 2017/Shanoy Coombs
Jamaican female group improve livelihoods under FAO’s Pig Farming Project
A Little over a year after its implementation, members of the Lydford/Moneague women’s farmer Group have been reaping Pig Production successes beyond the initial projections.
The group of women from the rural Lydford/Moneague communities in South East St. Ann with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Jamaica have turned to pig production to support themselves and their families in the absence of opportunities once linked to the bauxite sector.
Under a project that began in 2016, the FAO equipped the group of nine (9) women with financial resources and technical expertise to provide additional employment for women in the community and also expose them to pork production and business Management skills. Since then, the project’s beneficiaries have been commending the FAO for what they say have contributed to the improvement of their income and livelihood opportunities.
Under the project, an 880 square feet piggery unit and adjacent sow paddock was created and the group presented with 15 pigs (three pregnant gilts, two maiden gilts and ten weaner pigs) as well as feed and medication inputs.
Notably, women in the group were also trained in livestock management, land and animal husbandry; animal bio safety and reproduction. The women also received business development training to include marketing and book-keeping.
To date, the group now has 42 pigs and counting and are looking to sustain the positive gains by expanding to agriculture micro-enterprising. Based on the active jerk seasoning and sauce industry in neighbouring Golden Grove and Walkers wood communities, the Lydford/Moneague Women’s Group is assessing ways to move up the value chain for processed pork. There is also an opportunity to engage Community youth through collaboration with the newly opened Jeffrey Ville Agricultural School in Moneague.
Images (c)FAO 2017/Shanoy Coombs