Making millions from pig farming

By Wambui Ndung’u

Many people consider a pig to be filthy animal, and most do not want one anywhere in their vicinity.

But for Robert and Jennifer Kimani, pigs are part of their family.

"For me, they are not only my source of livelihood. They are my pets as well," says Ms Kimani.

But these farmers were not always friends with pigs. In 2009, the Kimani’s were poultry farmers with over 200 chickens under their wing. Then the price of chicken feed shot up, and they found it expensive to continue with that trade.

They then took what others considered a daring venture, and sold off all their chicken. They used the proceeds to buy one pig. Later another friend who was a pig farmer decided to close shop, and sold her six pigs to them. And in two years, the farm has grown to accommodate at least 80 pigs at any one given time.

The Kimani’s sell 120 to 180 pigs a year. [Photo: George Mulala/Standard]

The Kimani’s live in a quiet neighbourhood in Misha, Nyeri. The lawns are well manicures, with flowers lining pathways around the house. A Mango tree stands on one side of the house casting its shadow on one wing of the house.

And on one of corner, a demarcation has been cut out. It has a chain-link fenced and has a red gate. And in here is where you will find Ms Kimani’s prized possessions.

Mr Kimani is a hands-on farmer, and personally built each of the sheds in his farm.

"I did not have any money at the time and could not afford to hire people to build it, so I built it myself," says Kimani.

Clean animals

The structure is divided into small segments that have a feeding area and a ‘toilet area’, and sleeping area. And contrary to popular belief, the pigs will often use each area for its purpose.

The Kimani’s point out that a clean environment is necessary for fast growth in pigs. And if the size of a six-month piglet is anything to go by, the Kimani’s might be have unveiled the key to accelerating growth in pigs.

The pigs are sprayed every week to clean them and remove any pests. And since they are so susceptible to worms, the pigs are also de-wormed every 28 days. Their living area is also cleaned at least twice a day, and disinfected one every week.

The Kimani’s sat they make at least Sh80,000 monthly from the proceeds of the farm only, and estimate to have netted in excess of Sh5 million in the two years since they begun pig farming.

"I pay school fees for my children from the pigs," says Kimani who has three school going children.

The Kimani’s have also placed the pigs in different cubicles, according to their sizes. This is to encourage them to grow healthily. It also helps in feeding as they are fed on different foods according to the stages of growth. Young piglets need a constant supply of food, while the older ones are fed in intervals.

The slow growers are put together so that they are not disadvantaged, while expectant mothers and nursing mothers are put in their own cubicles away from the rest.

In one of the sheds, a mother suckles her pack of piglets, which have just been castrated. Kimani says they are castrated before they reach the age of one month so that their development as meat producers goes on without a hitch. And while she gets her income from selling pork, Kimani says it is very hard to let her animals, which she gives unique names according to their characteristics, get slaughtered.

Kimani also differs with other farmers by demanding that her workers treat the pigs with kindness. For her, even the slightest mishandling can prompt her to lay off someone off. She believes it is wrong for anyone to kick or beat an animal for no reason.

Right decision

So do they Kimani’s have any regrets about getting into their trade? They both are emphatic that they made the right decision.

But they point out that their business comes with its own challenges. For them, it is the huge demand for pigs, which they say and they can barely meet it.

They begin selling off the animals at six months, but can keep some until they are one-year and weighing close to 200kgs before slaughtering them. In January alone they sold 47 pigs. Every three months, the couple sells some pigs to make room for others. It is literary a cycle even in the housing units.

The Kimani’s have plans to triple the size of their business in the next few years. Currently they sell 120 to 180 pigs a year, getting a gross income of at least Sh1.5 million. They supply their meat to farmers’ choice, who — in turn—supply them with pig feed.

They also have a request to the Government.

"I wish the Government gave us more support in terms of education and funds to boost our businesses. The demand is there, and we are not able to meet it," said Kimani.

For the Kimani’s pig farming is a trade they will continue with and one, which they hope to pass on to their three daughters.