New 6 T/H Raw Grain Extrusion and Animal Feed Pellet Production Line Launched in Bolivia

Background of the Project

In 2025, a Bolivian agribusiness entrepreneur, who has been operating in the livestock sector for more than a decade, decided to invest in a new pig feed processing facility. This client, a second-generation family farm owner, had been managing a network of medium-sized pig farms spread across Santa Cruz and Cochabamba.

While the family business originally focused on crop cultivation—mainly corn and soybeans—the rapid growth of pig farming in Bolivia encouraged them to shift toward integrated feed production.

The client had noticed an increasing demand for high-quality, energy-dense pig feed, especially for intensive farming operations. Traditionally, pig farmers in Bolivia relied on a mix of locally available grains and purchased protein concentrates.

However, with the rising cost of imported premixes and pelleted feeds, many farms were struggling to balance feed efficiency with profitability. This motivated the client to establish a fully equipped 6 tons per hour feed production line designed for pig feed, combining raw grain extrusion with pelletizing technology.

This pig feed production line project is not only an important step for the client’s own farming business but also a significant contribution to Bolivia’s livestock feed processing sector.

Raw Materials Chosen for the Production Line

Bolivia is an agricultural country with abundant raw materials suitable for animal feed production. The main crops cultivated—corn, soybeans, sorghum, and wheat—are widely used in livestock diets. For pig feed in particular, the following ingredients were selected as the primary raw materials:

• Corn: Grown extensively in Santa Cruz, corn provides the main source of energy in the pig diet.
• Soybean meal: By-product of soybean oil processing, it supplies high-quality protein. Bolivia is one of South America’s major soybean producers, so availability is high.
• Sorghum: An energy-rich grain crop that thrives in dry climates, often used to substitute part of the corn.
• Wheat bran: A locally available by-product that improves fiber balance and gut health in pigs.
• Sunflower meal: Another protein source available from Bolivia’s oilseed sector.
• Fishmeal and blood meal: Used in smaller amounts to boost the amino acid profile of the feed.
• Local root crops and cassava residues: These are included as partial raw materials due to their availability in rural communities.

The combination of these ingredients not only reduces dependence on imports but also helps utilize local agricultural by-products efficiently.

Process Technology of the 6 t/h Pig Feed Line

The uniqueness of this pig animal feed factory project lies in the integration of raw grain extrusion with the conventional pig feed pelletization process. This dual approach addresses the specific challenges of digestibility, feed efficiency, and disease control.

1. Raw Grain Extrusion
   Corn and sorghum grains are processed through a high-temperature extruder before entering the feed formulation system. Extrusion improves starch gelatinization, enhances digestibility, and destroys anti-nutritional factors. For piglets and growing pigs, extruded grains significantly increase feed conversion efficiency.
2. Grinding and Mixing
   The raw materials such as soybean meal, wheat bran, and sunflower meal are ground to uniform particle size in a hammer mill. A high-efficiency feed mixer then ensures even distribution of nutrients across batches.
3. Conditioning
   Before pelletizing, the mixed feed passes through a steam conditioner. This stage improves pellet durability, sterilizes raw materials, and enhances palatability.
4. Pelletizing
   The conditioned feed mash is processed into uniform pig feed pellets. The animal feed production line allows flexibility to produce pellets of 3mm, 4mm, or 5mm depending on pig growth stages.
5. Cooling and Screening
   Pellets are cooled to maintain structural integrity and screened to remove fines. This ensures a clean, consistent product for storage and transport.
6. Packaging and Storage
   The pellets are packed in 25kg and 40kg bags, designed for both on-farm use and commercial sales to other farmers in the region.

Main Equipment Adopted in the Line

The 6t/h pig feed pellet production line supplied by RICHI Machinery is designed with advanced automation and reliability in mind. The main equipment includes:

• Raw grain extruder (for corn, sorghum, cassava residues)
• Hammer mill with high-efficiency dust control system
• Batch feed mixer (double-shaft paddle mixer)
• Conditioner and pig feed pellet machine (ring die type, 55 kW main motor)
• Pellet cooler (counter-flow type for uniform cooling)
• Vibrating screen for pellet classification
• Automatic packaging machine with weighing accuracy of ±0.2%
• Auxiliary equipment: screw conveyors, elevators, dust collection systems, electrical control cabinets

This combination ensures continuous operation, reduced labor intensity, and high output efficiency.

Services Provided by RICHI Machinery

For this Bolivian project, RICHI Machinery not only delivered the equipment but also offered a comprehensive package of services:

• Turnkey engineering: From layout design to equipment installation and commissioning.
• Local training: RICHI engineers provided hands-on training for operators, ensuring smooth plant operation.
• Formulation guidance: Tailored feed formula adjustments were recommended based on Bolivia’s local raw material availability.
• After-sales support: Spare parts supply and remote troubleshooting services guarantee uninterrupted production.

Future Prospects of Pig Feed Processing in Bolivia

The pig farming sector in Bolivia has been expanding steadily, driven by increasing domestic demand for pork. While per capita pork consumption remains lower than in neighboring Brazil or Argentina, urbanization and rising incomes are creating new opportunities.

Bolivia is moving from backyard pig rearing toward more industrialized farming systems. Feed quality is becoming a decisive factor in farm profitability. By processing locally available grains and oilseed by-products into balanced pig feed, farmers can reduce reliance on imports, stabilize production costs, and improve pig growth performance.

In addition, the use of extrusion technology adds significant value. With better digestibility and feed efficiency, farmers achieve faster weight gain and better feed conversion ratios. This is particularly important in Bolivia, where transportation and input costs can be high due to geography.

Over the next decade, experts predict that Bolivia’s pig population will grow steadily, with demand for commercial feed increasing at an annual rate of 5–7%. Projects like this 6t/h feed line will set a model for other producers in the country.

Raw Materials in Context of Bolivia's Agriculture

To highlight again the relevance of this project, here are some of the actual raw materials the client is processing in the pig feed mill:

• Corn from Santa Cruz (70%)
• Soybean meal from local oil mills (15%)
• Wheat bran and sunflower meal (8%)
• Fishmeal and blood meal (3%)
• Cassava residues from nearby smallholders (4%)

This formula is both cost-effective and nutritionally balanced, reflecting Bolivia’s actual agricultural supply chain.

Why the Client Chose RICHI Machinery

When asked why he selected RICHI Machinery over other suppliers, the client highlighted several reasons:

• The ability to integrate extrusion + pelletizing technology in a single line.
• RICHI’s experience in customizing solutions for South American conditions.
• Competitive pricing without compromising on equipment durability.
• Comprehensive after-sales service and technical support.

The client also mentioned that RICHI’s openness in discussing feed formulations and providing realistic cost analyses gave him confidence in the long-term value of the investment.

This 6t/h raw grain extrusion + pig feed pellet production line in Bolivia marks a significant achievement for both the client and RICHI Machinery. By harnessing Bolivia’s rich agricultural resources and applying advanced feed processing technology, the project enhances the efficiency of pig farming and reduces feed costs.

For other Bolivian and South American farmers who are considering investing in feed processing, this case demonstrates that RICHI Machinery not only delivers high-quality equipment but also provides complete solutions tailored to local realities.

As pig farming in Bolivia continues to grow, more producers are expected to follow this path, ensuring better feed quality, improved productivity, and stronger competitiveness in the livestock market.

If you are planning to set up a pig feed mill, whether for your own farm or for commercial supply, RICHI Machinery is ready to design and deliver a solution that fits your needs.