Awareness of Pig Farming Regulations Among Entrepreneurs: Implications for Farm Productivity

Abstract

Pig farming has become a lucrative entrepreneurial opportunity because to its benefits in agriculture and the demand for pork. Despite several economic advantages, entrepreneurs starting these ventures face multiple risks. A significant worry is the insufficient awareness among entrepreneurs about the legal and regulatory frameworks necessary for the construction and operation of pig farms. A considerable number of entrepreneurs lack awareness of essential requirements, including licensing procedures, farm classification, spatial rules, environmental compliance, inspection protocols, and waste management standards. The present study was conceptualised to analyse the awareness of pig farming entrepreneurs about rules and regulations for the establishment of their entrepreneurial ventures and constraints faced by them during management of their enterprises in Kerala state. The study was conducted among twenty five pig farming entrepreneurs who selected through key informant technique from three districts (Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Malappuram) of Kerala state. Findings revealed that majority of the pig farming entrepreneurs were male within the middle aged group (25 to 36 years) and were literate with high school education. Majority of respondents were having low herd size with medium experience in pig farming enterprise, low land holding and annual income. Results revealed that 44 per cent of the pig farming entrepreneurs had low level of awareness regarding rules and regulations for the establishing their enterprises, followed by medium (36%) and high (20%) level of awareness. This study revealed significant gaps in entrepreneurs’ awareness regarding regulatory and operational requirements for pig farming, including pig farm categorisation, licensing, inspection protocols, spatial regulations, and waste management. Lack of financial support and subsidies, stringent regulatory requirements for establishing enterprise, less availability of quality animals, high cost of crossbred / improved animals, hostility from neighbours, lack of awareness about government entrepreneurship development schemes, incidence of diseases in animals, lack of access to market linkages and information, non-availability of sufficient land, lack of scientific infrastructure for production, processing and marketing and  high rate of interest charge by money lenders were observed as the major constraints perceived by them. The study suggested that there was a need for targeted training and information dissemination among pig farming entrepreneurs. Raising awareness about farm classification, licensing, spatial and environmental regulations, and regular compliance procedures is essential for promoting sustainable and legally compliant pig farming.