Namibia lacks pig vets

Namibia’s pig industry is facing a shortage of veterinarians specialising in pigs, with producers saying this could become a challenge as the sector expands.

Pig producer Rango Haikali says Namibia has veterinarians, state veterinarians and agricultural extension officers, but few specialise in pigs.

“Very few are specialising in pigs,” Haikali said during a Pig Producers Association of Namibia information session in Windhoek last week.

He said farmers could nevertheless manage some health risks by following prescribed vaccination programmes and maintaining good biosecurity.

The Pig Producers Association of Namibia says local pig producers currently supply about 41% of the pork consumed in Namibia.

Pig Producers Association of Namibia chairperson Gideon Goosen said farmers experiencing disease problems could still find veterinarians in Namibia who could assist them.

“If you have a problem on your farm with a disease, I am 100% sure you would be able to find a veterinarian in this country who will be able to help you,” he said.

Goosen said specialised pig veterinarians in South Africa often provide broader consultancy services.

He said these specialists could also assist Namibian producers through professional networks.

Business developer for pigs and poultry Warnich Biersteker during the session said there is a broader knowledge gap in the industry and encouraged farmers to attend information sessions and make use of online training and technology.

Lionel’s Group of Companies chief executive and pig farming expert Duncan Stephenson said farmers also need to closely monitor feed efficiency because feed is a major production cost.

He said farmers should give pigs the right feed at the right stage, measure the cost of each kilogramme of weight gain and make management changes to improve efficiency.

LOCAL PORK … Local pig producers currently supply about 41% of the pork consumed in Namibia. Photo File

“The people who measure and who can give you facts are the ones who will be there the longest,” Stephenson said.

This comes as minister of international relations and trade Selma Ashipala-Musavyi two months ago said Namibia exported meat worth N$1.43 billion during the first five months of this year, underscoring the continued resilience of the country’s agricultural export sector.

Last year, the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN) said Namibia increased local pork production as imports supplied 60.4% of the country’s pork demand in 2024.

LLPBN trade and strategic marketing statistician Fransina Angula at that time said local producers supplied only 39.6% of demand.

A total of 50 759 pigs were marketed through LLPBN-approved abattoirs during the year.

Germany accounted for 44.6% of imported pork, followed by Spain at 20.2%, and South Africa at 1.6%.

Dr Philemon Hoon, however, says veterinarians are trained to care for all kinds of animals, including domestic pets such as dogs and cats, livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, horses and wildlife.

He says pigs do not necessarily need specialised veterinary care.

“Veterinary training covers a wide range of animal species, including pigs.

“Veterinarians are equipped to diagnose and treat all kinds of pig diseases and manage herd health on piggeries in Namibia, or anywhere else in the world,” he told Farmers Inside Track yesterday.

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