The economic value of genetic improvement of the Ashanti black pig to the Ghanaian pig industry

The aim of this study was to predict the trait and economic responses achievable for four economically important traits in the Ashanti Black pig (ABP) in Ghana using three different selection strategies. The objective traits modelled in this genetic improvement program were number of pigs weaned per sow per year (NW), back fat thickness (BFT), live weight at slaughter (SWT) and muscle depth (MD). All the traits modelled had favourable economic values with NW being the most important traits among the four. Generally, the genetic and economic returns from the multiple trait index selection (MTIS) and desired gains approach (DGA) were higher than those of the single trait selection strategy except for sole selection for NW (Ghana Cedis (GHS) 156.00). The economic returns for scenarios under MTIS and DGA were between 42 to 93% of the return from sole selection for NW. Single trait selection of MD, BFT and SWT gave the least economic responses. The three strategies modelled gave similar accuracy of selection ranging from 0.4834 to 0.6649 with scenarios under single trait selection giving relatively higher accuracies. The potential contribution of genetic improvement of ABP to the pig industry in Ghana is between GHS 1 060 000.00 and GHS 6 126 000.00. With clearly defined breeding objectives coupled with appropriate selection strategies, the value of the pig industry in Ghana could be improved with the ABP. Keywords: Desired gains approach, Multiple trait index selection, Single trait selection, traits