Sustainable Pig Farming with Indigenous Microorganisms

Natural pig farming is a non-polluting system of raising healthy pigs that utilizes indigenous microorganisms (IMO) in the sty's deep-bed litter floor to rapidly decompose pig waste. Indigenous micro-organisms (IMO) are a homemade microbe mixture that fosters rapid anaerobic digestion of waste.

Native microorganisms are referred to as IMO. A handmade microbe cocktail is used in piggery farming to promote quick anaerobic digestion of waste in the piggery enclosure.

What are indigenous micro-organisms?

Indigenous microorganisms encompass a diverse array of microscopic life forms, notably bacteria, fungi, and yeast that naturally originate and thrive within specific ecological niches. These organisms intricately interact with their surroundings, coexisting harmoniously with a variety of life forms and playing essential roles in maintaining ecological balance and biological processes.

How to make indigenous micro-organisms for pigs?

Discover below how to produce native microorganisms (IMO) for pigs. This technique is based on the understanding that these IMOs play a significant part in reducing unpleasant odors emanating from pig feces by accelerating the composting process, which in turn results in richer soil that aids crops. This technique demonstrates how it might enhance the general health and vitality of agricultural endeavors.

The Steps:

1. Cook a kilogram of corn, fancy rice, or sweet potatoes. Once it has cooled, place it in a wooden, earthen, or ceramic container; do not use metal or plastic.
2. Cover the mouth of the container completely with a cloth or paper, fixed in place with a rubber band to prevent water or small insects from getting in.
3. Place the covered container somewhere that is protected from potential rain, such as beneath a tree or on the ground covered in a thick layer of leaves, and leave it there for three days.
4. After whitish moldy filaments have formed, transfer the entire contents of the container to a larger glass or earthen jar and add one kilo of brown sugar or more molasses, preferably organic in nature.
5. Cover the jar with a clean cloth or paper, secured with a rubber band. Keep it in a dark place and let it ferment for seven days until it appears muddy.
6. This is your IMO concoction.

How to use indigenous micro-organisms (IMO)?

1. Combine two spoonfuls of the specially prepared concoction with approximately one liter of water, creating a diluted solution.
2. Spray the area around pig pens and poultry coops with this solution to eliminate any remaining bad smells.
3. Apply the diluted mixture onto your compost pile, thereby accelerating the natural decomposition process. For the enhancement of your crop's overall vitality and pest management, administer the solution to your crops, acting simultaneously as a foliar fertilizer.
4. Regularly turn the bedding, including the indigenous microorganisms (IMO), amalgamating them with pig excrement, ensuring the bedding remains robustly healthy and devoid of any undesirable aromas.

How to multiply indigenous micro-organisms (IMO)?

To propagate indigenous microorganisms (IMO), combine the fermented substance with water and dry brown sugar. The quantity of dry brown sugar used should match the weight of the accumulated microorganisms. This procedure helps create a conducive environment for the multiplication and growth of these indigenous microorganisms.

Why should piggery farmers apply IMO in their piggery farms/ advantages of using IMO on the farm?

Most times, farmers are advised to apply IMO in piggery farms due to its various benefits. These include:

1. The primary reason why many individuals do not want to engage in pig farming is the elimination of the unpleasant stench that pigs emit in their stalls. If someone lives close to an Islamic community or area, they only experience this once. Conflicts with the Muslim neighborhood around the farmer are likely to result from this.
2. IMO aid in eliminating the farmer germs responsible for the odor of pig excrement.
3. IMO help pigs develop more quickly. This is because the IMO aids in heating the pig's skin, and heated skin breaks down stored fats, increasing the amount of fat in the flesh.
4. Improves animal appetite because of the great taste it adds to the feed of the animals.
5. Improves feed utilization with indigenous micro-organisms; pigs eat more of the feed given to them, leading to steady and good growth and less wastage of feed.
6. It is cost-effective and easy to manage.
7. It promotes urban and backyard piggery farming even in the most congested places.
8. It is not harmful to human health, unlike other harmful organisms and chemicals used in animal rearing; IMO is less harmful to people’s health as these organisms are grown and picked from the environment where people live.

Disadvantages of using IMO in piggery farming?

1. Pig manure's nutritious content may decrease as a result. This happens because fewer nutrients are available for plant development since a large amount of the nutrients is used by the local microbes.
2. The implementation of IMO practices can be financially burdensome. Constructing necessary structures, procuring equipment like watering nipples, and obtaining or producing IMO juice and diet lime powder incur substantial initial costs, potentially dissuading small-scale or resource-constrained pig farmers.
3. Managing an IMO system demands constant labor and time investment. Producing IMO juice, maintaining composting systems, and applying these to both pig farming and agricultural fields require dedicated effort from farmers.
4. Proper management is crucial, as harmful pathogens or non-beneficial microorganisms might flourish, leading to health risks for pigs.
5. The effectiveness of IMO in enhancing soil fertility and overall farm health can also exhibit inconsistency, influenced by factors such as local conditions, climate, and farming practices.
6. Improperly managed composting and IMO systems have the potential to generate odors and contribute to environmental pollution. Inadequate waste management can result in issues like water contamination and unpleasant odors, adversely impacting both the farm and its surroundings.

Piglet pellets for weaning

Piglet pellets refer to specially formulated feeds designed for piglets during the weaning stage of their growth, which involves transitioning them from their mother's milk to solid food. This phase is crucial and sometimes challenging in pig farming, as piglets must adapt to a new diet and learn to consume solid feed.

The pellets are crafted to provide essential nutrients for the rapid growth and development of piglets during this transition period.

They have a balanced composition of proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins, and minerals, and are simple to digest. Piglets' growing digestive systems and tiny mouths may easily consume the pellets because they are smaller in size than meals for adult pigs.

When using piglet pellets for weaning, it's vital to adhere to feeding guidelines from animal nutritionists or veterinarians. The weaning process can stress piglets, so ensuring a smooth transition is crucial for their overall health and growth.

Gradually introducing the pellets alongside the piglets' mothers' milk and monitoring their response can minimize digestive issues and ensure successful weaning.

Conclusion

Embracing the practice of natural pig farming with indigenous microorganisms (IMO) offers a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for pig farming enthusiasts. IMO, consisting of a diverse range of beneficial microorganisms, can transform the way we manage pig waste and enhance agricultural endeavors. By following the simple steps to create and utilize IMO, farmers can experience several advantages, including the elimination of unpleasant odors, accelerated pig growth, improved feed utilization, cost-effectiveness, and safe, environmentally friendly practices.

However, it's important to acknowledge that there are challenges associated with implementing IMO in piggery farming, such as potential nutrient loss from pig manure, initial financial investments, labor-intensive management, and the need for proper supervision to avoid harmful microorganism proliferation. Additionally, the effectiveness of IMO may vary depending on local conditions and practices.

Nevertheless, the use of IMO in pig farming represents a promising approach to promoting sustainable and responsible animal agriculture, contributing to healthier pigs, more productive farms, and a cleaner environment. As pig farmers explore and adapt to this innovative technique, it holds the potential to revolutionize the industry and create a brighter, more environmentally friendly future for pig farming.