On 28 October 2026, the Department of Fodder Technology and Animal Feeding held a scientific seminar addressing issues of sustainable agriculture in the context of industrial pig production in Ukraine. The seminar was entitled “The Water Footprint in Pig Production: Assessment, Determining Factors, and Mitigation Strategies.”
During the seminar, the results of an assessment of the water footprint of pork production based on the Hoekstra approach were presented. This approach enables a comprehensive assessment of water resource use at different stages of the production chain, from feed crop cultivation to the production of livestock products.
Particular attention was paid to the role of the feed supply in determining the water footprint of pig production. Opportunities for reducing the water footprint through improved feed utilisation efficiency, diet optimisation, and the sustainable management of crop production resources were discussed.
The seminar participants discussed methodological approaches to water footprint assessment, the validity of comparisons between the resulting indicators, and the potential application of research findings to improve resource efficiency and the environmental sustainability of industrial pig production.
The research conducted is of practical significance for identifying ways to promote the sustainable use of water resources, improve feeding systems, and enhance the environmental performance of modern pig production enterprises.
