Análisis de Componentes Principales de Buenas Prácticas Ganaderas en la producción porcícola: el caso de pequeños porcicultores en Ibagué, Colombia

Good livestock practices were evaluated in 25 production systems of small pig farmers in Ibagué (Tolima, Colombia) to measure the conditions of biosafety, facilities, animal health, feeding and administrative management based on the ICA-Colombia resolutions for pig production systems using principal component analysis and clustering. Information was collected on 585 aspects in 52 variables. The results showed that 100% of the producers do not comply with the minimum biosafety standards that a farm must have to be safe, suitable and competitive, which does not allow them to obtain a certification of good livestock practices in pig production. The principal component analysis identified the aspects with the greatest impact that required improvement. The «technical component» was the most relevant, with 58% of the non-conformities, related to sanitary management, biosafety, facilities and feeding. The second component, «Comprehensive Management», with 8% of the non-conformities, with the variables waste management, planning, management, biosafety and feeding. Additionally, three types of farms were identified: Type A (12%), which showed greater biosecurity, better selection and origin of animals, and greater impact on natural resources; Type B (40%), characterized by good feeding management, better work and animal environment, less administrative management and high impact on natural resources; and Type C (48%), with lower impact on natural resources, lower administrative management and feeding problems. In conclusion, principal component analysis turned out to be a useful tool to identify key areas of improvement in backyard pig farms with up to three breeding females and 10 fattening pigs, aiming to promote good practices and achieve adequate standards in pig production.