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| Wessex pig |
With proper breed selection, feeding, and management, pig farming can generate consistent income all year round—even on small pieces of land.
🧬 Choosing the Right Pig Breed
Selecting the right breed is the foundation of a successful pig farming enterprise. In Kenya, the most common and productive pig breeds include:
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Large White (Yorkshire)—Excellent for bacon and lean meat production.
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Landrace—Known for fast growth and high feed conversion efficiency.
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Berkshire—Famous for its flavorful, high-quality pork.
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Wessex Saddleback—Hardy and adaptable to local conditions.
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Middle White – Good for both pork and bacon production.
These breeds are available from reputable sources such as Farmer's Choice Kenya, which also provides valuable training and market information.
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| Male pig |
🌾 Feeding Your Pigs
Feeding accounts for about 70% of the total production cost in pig farming, so it’s important to get it right.
Pigs are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. A balanced diet for pigs typically includes:
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Energy sources: maize bran, cassava, or sweet potato vines
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Protein sources: fish meal, cottonseed cake, sunflower cake, or soybean meal
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Minerals and vitamins: salt, bone meal, and premixes
You can also feed pigs on cooked kitchen scraps, vegetables, or hotel leftovers (ensure they are cooked to avoid disease transmission). Younger pigs need more protein to support rapid growth, while mature pigs can be maintained on more carbohydrate-rich diets.
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| Female pig |
🏠 Pig Housing and Management
Proper housing is crucial for healthy and productive pigs.
A 10x12 ft pen can comfortably accommodate:
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One sow and her piglets
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3–4 sows without piglets
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8–10 growing piglets
Key housing tips:
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The floor should be cemented and slightly slanted for easy cleaning and drainage.
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Use off-cuts or iron sheets for walls and roofing to reduce construction costs.
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Ensure good ventilation and insulation, especially for piglets that are sensitive to temperature changes.
Good housing improves survival rates (up to 85%) and helps pigs reach market weight faster, reducing feed and maintenance costs.
🐷 Pig Farming as a Business
Pig farming can be done as an independent enterprise or as part of a mixed farming system—for example, keeping pigs alongside dairy cattle. Pigs can consume farm leftovers or waste from nearby hotels, making them economical to feed.
In Kenya, the market demand for pork products such as bacon, sausages, and ham is higher than supply, particularly during the tourism peak seasons—June to August and December to January.
You can sell pigs directly to processors like Farmer's Choice, local butcheries, or restaurants. However, beware of middlemen who may try to exploit farmers with low prices.
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| Pig housing |
💡 Common Challenges in Pig Farming
While profitable, pig farming in Kenya has its challenges:
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High cost of commercial feeds—You can overcome this by formulating your own feeds or using food waste responsibly.
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Cultural and religious barriers—Some communities view pigs as unclean, limiting local markets.
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Diseases and poor housing – Regular cleaning, vaccination, and proper ventilation help maintain herd health.
🌱 Additional Benefits
Pig farming doesn’t just end with meat production. Other by-products include:
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Pig manure—an excellent organic fertilizer for crops.
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Tallow and lard—used in soap making and industrial applications.
✅ Final Thoughts
Pig farming in Kenya offers a lucrative and sustainable business opportunity for both small-scale and commercial farmers. With the right breed, proper feeding, good management, and access to reliable markets, you can turn pig farming into a thriving agribusiness.
If you’re new to pig farming, visit Farmers Choice Kenya or your local livestock extension office for practical training and information on breeds, feed formulation, and market access.
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