How much is the profit in pig farming?
I once shared this back in 2021, this is to all who missed it and new followers. Monday #motivation
Sharing my personal insights on pig farming. Many people underestimate the critical processes involved, which are essential for success in this industry. Often, they overlook valuable information that could help them establish their projects, concentrating solely on potential profits while neglecting to consider the challenges farmers face. Piggery production is far from straightforward; it comes with numerous obstacles that can lead to sleepless nights.

It’s crucial to have a clear plan for how to begin: Will you start with weaners or serviced gilts? Weaner may have relatively low upfront costs, but keep in mind they require about 4-5 months of feeding before they begin producing, followed by nearly four months of gestation and an additional six months to reach market weight. This means it could take around a year and a half before you can start seeing any sales. Alternatively, you might consider purchasing weaners, raising them for 3-4 months, and then selling them. While served gilts are a more expensive option in Zimbabwe, they can save you time and feed costs, allowing you to reach market weight within a year with about four months of pregnancy followed by 5-6 months of growth.
Remember, you also have the option to sell weaners starting at five weeks up to two months old.

Although pig farming is indeed a numbers game, relying solely on numbers can be risky if you fail to provide adequate feed and care for your animals. I advise small-scale farmers to start modestly. When I began, I started with three pigs, which I found to be an ideal starting number. For example If you start with five serviced gilts, you might anticipate around 50 piglets from your initial breeders, which could be overwhelming. It's easy to be tempted by the numbers, but the financial and care requirements for raising 50 piglets to market weight can be burdensome. Each pig consumes about 2 kg of feed daily, resulting in 100 kg for 50 pigs, plus an additional 12 kg for the sows and boar—totaling 112 kg per day. You can see how quickly feed costs add up.

When it comes to generating profits from such a project, several factors come into play: Are you renting facilities, are you planning to construct your own, and what will the size be? I recently built a small structure with three rooms, and the costs were astonishing. Prices in Zimbabwe can be quite exorbitant!
You can only discuss enjoying profits when you’ve recouped your initial investment in the project. If you have the chance to rent a secure facility in Zimbabwe, I recommend it as a starting point. For example, if you plan to house 50 pigs, you'll need at least $5,000 for structures alone, before considering the costs of purchasing pigs, feed, vaccines, and other necessities. This amount can be overwhelming for small-scale farmers with limited resources.
I strongly encourage you to start small and grow based on your capacity. While numbers can be appealing, it’s crucial to ensure you can provide excellent care for your animals. Be sure to also explore the potential downsides of the business; understanding these challenges will allow you to prepare better and, in some cases, avoid problems altogether.

Additionally, I want to touch upon the wealth of information available in social media communities. Be discerning when evaluating advice, particularly in groups like WhatsApp. There are many who offer unsolicited, and often questionable, knowledge. Just because someone has pigs doesn’t make them an expert. So, fellow farmers, be selective about your sources of advice. With so much information and self-proclaimed experts out there, following bad advice can lead to costly and stressful consequences. Take the time to filter advice and retain only the most valuable insights. It may be challenging if you’re new to the industry, but seeking out knowledge is crucial to your success.
Wishing you all a productive day!
Jay Shumba
05.05.2021 I did this thread back in 2021
#pigfarming #profit #socialmedia #farmer #entrepreneur #business