Kericho: The smell of manure and feed might not be everyone's cup of tea but for Mzee Samuel Chepkwony, the scent of opportunity drew him to seek early retirement from his full-time job as a school bus driver to focus on his passion for pig farming.
According to Kenya News Agency, Chepkwony, 55, a resident of Asenwet village within Kipsistet area in Soin/Sigowet Sub-County within Kericho County, now works full-time on his farm. He started his lucrative pig farming venture eight years ago while still employed as a school bus operator at Kipsigis Girls High School in Kericho. However, he opted for early retirement last year to dedicate himself to pig farming.
A visit to Chepkwony's pig farm reveals a farmer passionate about pig farming. His farm houses around three full-grown female pigs and 42 piglets in a wooden pigsty constructed from wooden planks and mabati walls, with sawdust littered in four compartments for comfort and cleanliness. The pigsty, measuring four by six feet, is strategically located opposite his stone brick house on two and a half acres of land.
Chepkwony's journey into pig farming began in 2017 when he noticed the school's kitchen waste and proposed to the administration to establish a pig farm for utilizing the waste as feed. When his proposal was declined, his determination only grew stronger, prompting him to start his venture on his farm.
Armed with Sh5,000, Chepkwony purchased two female sows of different breeds, initiating his journey into pig farming. He credits his friends who rear pigs for pork with mentoring him in the trade. His market primarily lies in the neighboring county of Kisumu, where he sells pigs weighing 70 kilograms each at Sh15,000, benefiting from the high demand for pork.
Chepkwony revealed that last year he had 100 piglets from a single sow, marking his highest yield since starting the venture. He sells piglets to new farmers and his large swines to slaughterhouses in Nyamasaria, Kisumu County. Prices vary based on age, breed, and weight, with heavier pigs fetching higher prices.
Since venturing into pig farming in 2017, Chepkwony finds the business rewarding and profitable. He has managed to pay his children's school fees and purchase farm inputs. Apart from pigs, he grows lemons, mangoes, coffee, and sugarcane. He emphasizes the importance of proper housing, feeding, and disease management for successful pig farming.
Chepkwony advises newcomers to research thoroughly before starting, highlighting the critical nature of feeding. He uses kitchen waste for feed due to the high cost of commercial feeds. He also emphasizes regular deworming, iron injections, and vaccinations to maintain healthy pigs.
Happy with his decision to retire early and pursue his passion, Chepkwony encourages the county government to provide training and extension services to enhance knowledge on modern pig farming methods. Despite challenges like disease management and market fluctuations, Chepkwony remains optimistic, finding pig farming profitable and fulfilling.