Within a short span of three years, John Njau has made a remarkable name for himself and earned a good income through pig rearing on his farm in Ikinu, Kiambu County.
At the age of 32, he is now the proud owner of 92 pigs, consisting of Landrace and Camborough breeds. Some are pregnant, while others eagerly await serving in January.
Here is his story as told by WoK.
Background
John’s journey into pig farming began in 2018 when he acquired a pregnant gilt from his mother’s farm for Ksh27,000.
The gilt later gave birth to eight healthy piglets, and that marked the beginning of John’s love affair with pigs.
Since then, he has been diligently nurturing his pig population, which comprises Landrace and Camborough breeds.
Currently, John’s farm is home to 92 pigs, including eight sows and one Duroc boar, along with a Camborough boar.
Additionally, there are over 40 piglets of varying ages.
Diversifying his revenue streams, John sells pigs at various prices depending on their size and age, ranging from Ksh30,000 to Ksh40,000.
“There are those castrated boars that we also sell to Famers Choice and local butchers. For the pregnant gilts and piglets, we sell to famers and some major institutions like secondary schools and primary schools,” Njau said during an Interview with Business Daily.
Furthermore, castrated boars are also sold to local butchers and Famers Choice.
Pregnant gilts and piglets find their way to farmers and institutions such as schools, further expanding John’s market reach.
Despite his impressive achievements, John does not rest on his laurels.
Rather, he attributes his success to maintaining a clean and disinfected pigsty.
The meticulous attention to hygiene has shielded his farm from diseases, resulting in a disease-free operation thus far.
However, labor and flies remain significant challenges that John has learned to mitigate with the help of new chemical solutions provided by agro-vets.
The outbreak of Covid-19 brought its own set of challenges, affecting pork prices while feed costs increased.
Yet, John remained optimistic about the future, relying on his steadfast work ethic and resilience to weather these economic storms.
Beyond pig farming, John also raises indigenous chickens and geese, diversifying his income sources further.
At present, he employs three dedicated individuals who assist him in managing the farm efficiently.
John offers invaluable advice to aspiring pig farmers: conduct thorough market research before taking the plunge.
Identifying a ready market is crucial to ensure a steady demand for the produce. He emphasizes the significance of selecting the right breeds and providing optimal nutrition to achieve successful pig farming.
According to him, pig farming can be a lucrative venture with the potential for substantial returns when managed wisely.
Looking ahead, John has ambitious plans for the future.
His vision involves value addition, with the production of his own sausages and bacon. Additionally, he aspires to become one of the finest breeders in the industry.
