Pig farming in Kenya is a strong source of income for many farmers given the high demand for pig products locally.

The animals are mainly reared for pork as well as for the manufacture of meat products like sausages, beacon and brawn.

Pigs are well adapted to different climatic conditions and can be reared in intensive, extensive, or commercial systems.

Several breeds are reared in Kenya but the most common are the DanBred Landrace, the DanBred Yorkshire and the DanBred Duroc.

According to the Kenya Livestock Producers Association (KLPA), for a successful pig business, various conditions must be met.  They include:

Efficient Breeding

This can be accomplished by opting for high-quality breeding stock to enhance productivity. Source your piglets from reputable breeders and select boars and sows with desirable traits like disease resistance, good maternal skills and rapid growth rates.

According to experts, other signs to look for when choosing proper breeds include a pair of bright eyes, a glossy coat, alertness and responsiveness to its surroundings, a good temperament, good appeal to food, easy and normal movement, and free from lameness or any other unnatural signs.

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Feeding and Nutrition

Feeding is one of the important aspects of livestock farming. For optimal growth, it is important that your pigs enjoy a balanced diet while ensuring they don’t overfeed.

Each pig eats about two kilograms per day in the morning and in the evening.

Supplementing the animal feeds with local ingredients like soybeans, maize, and sorghum will help provide them with a well-rounded diet while simultaneously minimizing costs and ensuring good-quality nutrition.

The farmer is also advised to provide them with adequate clean drinking water.

Disease Management

Pigs often fall prey to deadly diseases like African Swine Flu (ASF) and Porcine parvovirus (PPV). ASF can be mitigated by rearing your pigs in confinement, on paved floors.

An Infestation of the pig tapeworm not only affects the pigs but is also hazardous to public health.

Vigilant disease prevention measures, including stringent hygiene protocols, quarantine practices and regular vaccinations, are pivotal in preventing substantial losses caused by outbreaks.

Hygiene and housing

The pigsty should be well ventilated and spacious to avoid stress on the pigs. Adult pigs are very sensitive to hot temperatures, and piglets are affected adversely by cold temperatures.

Thus, the controlled temperature can help maximize growth and production. In addition, the building should be cleaned properly at least twice daily to keep off pests causing diseases.

Potential earnings in pig farming

According to KLPA, an efficiently managed pig can yield between six to eight piglets twice a year, providing an income of approximately Sh42,000 to Sh48,000 per year per pig.

The sale of mature pigs, dependent on weight and market price, can generate substantial income, reaching Sh40,000 per pig.