According to Leilanie Rechelluul, Extension Agent of PCC-CRE, “Unlike most of the pig farms in Palau that still use traditional farming methods, we don’t use water to flush out the waste. Instead, we use beddings.”
She said they use mainly woods, coconut husks — chipped and shredded — as beddings in pig pens. The pigs pees and poops on the beddings which are replaced every three days, or depending on the size of the pig, eliminating the need to wash and flush pig pens with water. The waste beddings are then turned into compost or fertilizers.
This new waste management system was adopted from Hawaiian Modified Dry Litter System. It allows swine farmers to manage swine wastes without using a lot of water.
Rechelluul said the project started in 2007 and has been adapted in small-scale swine operations. “Our office is promoting cleaner environment and water conservation,” she added. “This method eliminates foul odor and flies when beddings are changed regularly.”
The system also helps reduce labor costs, water bills and time investments; and fertilizers from waste beddings can turn into additional income.
Demonstrations about the Dry Litter Waste Management System are available in a PCC-funded pig farm in Modekngei High School. PCC is also funding yet another pig farm in Ibobang High School, but they have yet to finalize the project. “We’re still working on it. They still haven’t decided on the location.”
Farmers and pig raisers who are interested about the system may contact PCC-CRE at 488-2746 or 733-1111 for more information.
