Design of a pig feeder for free range fattening station in rural marginal areas

In the last two decades, pigs rearing activities, as they have been mostly conducted with agistment contracts aimed at the fattening phase, involving mainly exotic species like Large White, have turned out as one of the less overall sustainable agricultural activities. This element combined with the uncertain market placement of the final products, which have to compete with other larger international market products, has left the farmers with very few options. The European statistics show how three quarters of pigs are reared by just 1.5 % of the largest fatteners, but if we look at the farms, these are mostly family owned. The family run pig farms, which in Italy represent 73.5% of all pig farms, deserve special attention of the scientific communityas theycan play an important role in the European Commission Rural Development Policy. European policy aims to improve high quality food produced within traceable supply chains, strongly connected to their territorial context and that can ensure the reared animal welfare. Therefore, EU seekscompetitiveness in agriculture and forestry, to improve the environment and countryside, to improve the quality of life in rural areas and to encourage the diversification of rural economies. Particular attention in this regard deserve the marginal rural areas that have historically been characterized by extensive livestock activities conducted at the edge of survival, with limited resources, few services and low specialization. For these areas, retrieve and enhance the existing livestock activities could be a driving force for development and renewal based on the rediscovery of their own traditions. In the Nera Valley (Umbria region) the pig farm has been for centuries a distinguishing factor and the strong specialization of those involved in the slaughter and processing of its products is demonstrated by the use of the term “norcino” (Norcia, a town of the Nera Valley), for he who practice this activity.The local species were many, but over time have been replaced with more productive ones, less rustic and therefore less suited to the mountain environment. Currently there is a strong focus on the recovery of some local varieties and types of free range farming in the undergrowth, mainly for the fattening stage. The key to success in recreating these local supply chains is in being able to provide them with services and new high-tech products to facilitate the adoption of traditional forms of farming, making them less burdensome for the stockman. The present work is focused on identifying a pig feeder design suitable for the food integration in this farming system that is low-cost, durable, easy to carry and not folding.A well designed feeder can improve many aspects of pig production such as feed wastage, hygiene, ease of management and space use. The work is part of a wider research aimed at developing innovative systems for the management and valuing of local resources in marginal areas through the creation of a network of custodians of agrobiodiversity.