Jamaica Conducts Pig Industry Census
JAMAICA - The data collection field staff of the Agricultural Marketing Information Division of the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, in collaboration with Trevor Hamilton & Associates (THA) Limited, is in the process of conducting a field data collection for a census of the pig industry in Jamaica.Jamaica Observer reports that the census, which began two weeks ago, is part of a wider study of the Pig Industry for which THA has been contracted to undertake with funding assistance from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund, through the Rural Economic Development Initiative Project.
Jamaica is relatively self-sufficient in pig production, but there is a dearth of information about the present structure of the industry, largely due to the fact that the last census was conducted almost a decade ago. This census will assess and describe the present structure, as well as make recommendations for an industry plan.
The information gathered will assist the ministry and other industry stakeholders to better plan for the development of the pig/pork industry towards meeting the country's needs for pork products.
The ministry's officers will be conducting interviews among all pig farmers islandwide during the period May to July 2012.