Pig Farming

In February 2010 we were approached by the Sawe Community group. They wanted our help to establish a pig farming business. What either of us knew about pig farming could be written on the back of a stamp so we decided it was about time we changed that.

We had worked with this group before on a fish breeding programme and they had proved their worth and we were excited to be working with them.

The consultation process went on for months as we tried to understand how 4 Muslims women could participate on an equal basis. It turns out that while they were unable to touch the pig, they could feed, clean, build and work around it.

We insisted that the group have training from the local vet as to what to feed the pigs, what diseases to look out for what problems they might come across. We insisted that they fund and build a pig sty and have transparent accounts and good systems of governance.

This sorted we loaned them the funds to buy 10 piglets 5 male and 5 female.

This now is a time line of progress…….

May 2010 – The pigs were bought at Ths 40,000 each

July 2010 – The pigs were put on worming treatment by the vet..  Cost of Tsh 3,000 each piglet

January 2011 – the male pigs were sold. This was done before they were fully fattened due to the need for improved cash flow. This was an error caused by poor understanding and poor communication. This was discussed at great length and the lessons learnt.

February 2011 -We have agreed that for the next 2 years the business will focus on breeding pigs and selling piglets rather than rearing then to adulthood due to cash flow problems caused by feed and sties costs. It will also allow the group to develop their skills more getting too big.

February 2011  -A birthing sty was built and paid for by donors.

February 2011 – The initial 30 members have been reduced to 20 because 10 were not making the monthly contributions and failed to participate correctly. The treasure and the secretary have been replaced due to poor attendance at meetings and lack of commitment. An additional management team has been put in place to oversee the management team and ensure improve governance, transparency and participation resulting in the delegation of responsibility.

February 2011 – The business training has helped focus the minds of the members as to what they are doing and what they need to be thinking about in their planning for water and storage of food. As the number of pigs grows the location of the sties becomes important and this is being thought about. The training has also helped move the concept from being an experiment to being a business.

In March/April 2011 the 5 sows were pregnant.

June – July 2011 – All the sows gave birth and we were inundated with beautiful little pigs. A few died but we have 25 little darlin’s and some have been named. Beth Lamb, Mike Lamb, FF, Charlton, Litsa, Fred, Mardy and Pugsy. The birthing sty did well and everyone is happy