Mekong - U.S. Partnership
Farmers in northern Thailand’s Hae Ko village are implementing a new pig housing system as a climate smart adaptation measure against anticipated increases in temperature from climate change. In this hill tribe community, raising pigs is integral to their food security and income, but higher temperatures can impact the productivity and health of their local breeds.
After visiting a nearby village on a study tour organized by USAID Mekong Adaptation and Resilience to Climate Change (USAID Mekong ARCC) project and its partner, International Union Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Thailand, Hae Ko villagers started installing a low cost pig pit system to increase ventilation and reduce environmental threats caused by pig waste. “Not only will pigs in pig pits grow faster and provide households with higher incomes, they will also form a sustainable system that can survive future climate extremes,” said Ratkawee ‘Joe’ Boonmake, IUCN Thailand's Field Coordinator.
In addition, the project will introduce Black Chiang Mai piglets—a physically robust breed that is more able to withstand heat increases—throughout the community so farmers outside the initial pilot can also benefit from these adaptation measures.
Source: USAID/RDMA Regional Environment Office Weekly Update
