Pig farming to supplement rain-dependent agriculture — Waiguru

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru is supporting farmers to rear pigs as a way of increasing their income.

The pig rearing project is part of the county’s Wezesha Kirinyaga Empowerment programme that supports farmers to diversify.

The governor spoke on Tuesday while inspecting one of the pig projects in Mutithi ward in Mwea constituency.

She said her administration has supported 20 groups of farmers to undertake pig production.

The objective is to provide alternative livelihoods and give direct support to women and youth who will be engaged in various stages of the project value chain.

Waiguru said each group has received one sow that has already been served. The sows are expected to give birth in October. Additionally, they have received 15 weaner pigs that will be ready for sale after four months.

The county boss said there is a huge demand for pork within and outside the county and Kirinyaga has the potential to produce enough pork for export.

“Pig farming offers an opportunity for alleviating rural poverty and improving nutrition, as well as building climate resilience for poor households affected by climate change that negatively impacts rain-dependent agriculture,” Waiguru said.

She noted that the project will also increase the county’s pig population by 1,000 pigs within four months and by 25 per cent annually. Currently, the county produces about 4,000 every year.

At maturity, each pig is expected to fetch between Sh17,000 and Sh20,000 depending on weight. Kirinyaga Investment Development Authority will assist the farmers in marketing.

Waiguru said the pig project will be expanded to accommodate more farmers adding that plans to construct a pig slaughterhouse in the county were underway.

“The project will highly contribute towards the county’s nutritional status since pork is a source of protein.

"It will also support the county’s economic development agenda as well as the food security pillar of the Big Four agenda,” Waiguru said.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)