Annastacia Gakuyu made a significant career shift in 2020, leaving behind her bar business due to the disruptive impact of the pandemic.
She decided to venture into pig farming, a change that initially weighed heavily on her mind, considering she had relied on the bar business for many years.
However, Gakuyu now finds hope and economic stability in farming.
Her journey into pig farming began with online research and advice from fellow farmers.
She purchased two pigs, nearly ready to breed, for Ksh60,000. Gakuyu invested around Ksh100,000 to kickstart her new venture.
Located in Kahawa West Ward, Roysambu Constituency, Nairobi County, Grace Farm, as she fondly calls it, is where Gakuyu has laid the foundation for her pig farming journey.
Today, she and her team of three employees can be found diligently tending to the pigs, ensuring their well-being and growth.
“We’ve just finished cleaning the pig pens, and now it’s time to feed them. This business began on a high note, which is why I call it Grace Farm. This is just the beginning; next year, I plan to raise thousands of pigs,” Gakuyu said.
Gakuyu currently manages 80 pigs on a quarter-acre piece of land nestled amidst a residential area.
She acknowledges that the noise and potential odors from the farm may inconvenience her neighbors, so she has plans to relocate.
Maintaining strong ties with Equity Bank, Gakuyu intends to secure a loan using her land title to expand her pig farming operation to a two-acre or larger plot. She envisions a more modern pig farm in the near future.
To ensure a steady market presence, Gakuyu employs a strategic approach, ensuring she has pigs at various stages of growth. This includes piglets, weaned pigs, and those ready for market, weighing approximately 70 kilograms.
“On average, it costs me around Ksh10,000 to feed and care for a pig from birth to the age of six months when it’s ready for sale. I sell pigs for Ksh21,000 each,” Gakuyu explains.
Through her research, Gakuyu discovered that many farmers have found success by breeding Landrace and Large White pig breeds to maximize their profits. She, too, has chosen these breeds because of their excellent reproductive and maternal qualities.
In addition to pig farming, Gakuyu grows vegetables such as spinach and kale on her farm to feed her pigs. She utilizes pig waste as organic fertilizer, ensuring a sustainable and eco-friendly farming practice.
Maintaining cleanliness is crucial for Gakuyu in running her pig farm. She emphasizes the importance of strict biosecurity measures to prevent disease outbreaks. Her excellent relationship with veterinary doctors and a proactive approach to health precautions are central to her farming strategy.
Although Gakuyu has not faced significant challenges so far, she recognizes the need for an expanded pig market as she observes a growing number of pig farmers entering the industry.
As she expands her farm, Gakuyu also has plans to open a pork butchery, further cementing her presence in the pig farming sector.
