The advantages of raising free-range bali pigs

The advantages of raising free-range bali pigs

By Nyoman Sadra Dharmawan

This would be a quite provocative suggestion to raise pigs in a free-range system, like the way people do during the stone age. In terms of health and productivity, study is clearly considered ineligible. But it will be different, if we apply a free-range system by paying attention to the livestock’s health. Nowadays, the free-range system has become a trend to raise livestock in developed countries. Rearing animals this way is mentioned as an effort to go back to nature. Some people claim this as organic farming.

The concept of organic farming is developing in line with the increase in environmentally friendly products. By prioritizing animal health and welfare, it will also produce qualified products. Organic farming is a way of raising animals with holistic management, based on a harmonious relationship between land, plants, and livestock. In addition, this system is also based on healthy animal feed derived from organic agricultural land. Thus, the integrative and holistic aspects become an important part.

According to organic food fanatics, livestock products will be considered healthy if the product is organic. Meaning that it does not contain hormone residues, antibiotics, pesticides, and contamination of pathogenic microorganisms. This requires that in the production process, organic farms do not use growth-promoters and / or other chemical additives. Organic livestock products must come from organic farms whose animals get feed also comes from organic farming.

Looking at the concept, we would imagine that organic farming is expensive. But, we won’t be worried knowing that organic products are now getting popular. With the increasing health awareness of the public, the consumption of organic commodities has now become a new lifestyle. Public will be willing to pay more for organic products. They prefer to consume food that is safe and healthy, such as food or meat that comes from organic agriculture / organic animal husbandry.

Semi Organic Balinese Pig

What about the development of the baali pig farm in Bali? Is it possible to raise pure organic Balinese pigs? In Indonesia, organic farming has been developing, although it has not been as fast as organic agriculture. There are several obstacles in its application, including land issues and the availability of pure organic animal feed. As a transitional step, it has begun with an environmentally friendly semi-organic farm. Semi-organic farms are farms that are using feed derived from plants and are using more organic fertilizer compared to chemical fertilizers.

We made observations in Seraya Karangasem Village to analyse the possibility of raising semi-organic Bali pigs. Seraya village is located at the eastern part of the island of Bali. It is one of the villages in Bali where people are still loyal in raising Bali pigs. Most Bali pigs are raised for local consumption and religious ceremonies. Based on our observations, there are two ways of raising Bali pigs in Seraya village, namely traditional and conventional.

Pigs that are kept traditionally are done by releasing pigs, without a cage. Usually the parent is tied to a tree. If it must be caged, for example when a piglet is still small, the cage will not be permanent. Feed given comes from forages that are available around the environment, without additional commercial feed. We assume that traditional farming like this is a semi-organic farm. We observe the growth of this Bali piglet, from birth to weaning age.

The results of our study shows that from the aspect of weight gain and some blood parameters it is known that this traditional breeding method is quite good. The growth of Balinese piglets that are kept semi-organic is no different from the growth of Balinese piglets that are kept conventionally. Therefore, we recommend that traditional raising of Balinese pigs can be continued to be developed. In other words, it is recommended that people can return to raising Bali pigs through a free-range system. Of course, by paying attention to the health aspect of the livestock.