6 Basic Decisions When Starting a Piggery

 Meticulous planning is needed when one embarks on setting up a piggery project. Proper planning is essential in order to avoid making costly mistakes. The following factors should be carefully considered when starting a piggery project.

1. Capital

It is difficult to be precise on the amount of capital required. The amount required depends on the intended scale of production. Capital is required for developmental purposes, i.e. building sites and purchasing breeding stock. Working capital is required for feed, drugs, labour and other running costs. It is important to remember that cash inflows will start eleven months after the start of the project in most cases. Peak capital requirements are between the tenth and eleventh month. It is therefore critical to have enough capital for the first year of operation.

Sources of Capital

It is advisable for an aspiring pig producer to use own resources or cheap funds for developmental purposes. Loans that carry high interests are not ideal it will be difficult to service the debt especially if the loan repayment period is short.

The Pig Industry Board (PIB) assist farmers to determine how much money is needed for different sow herd sizes.

2. Housing

Production systems in Zimbabwe entail that pigs are housed. The amount of money invested in the buildings depends on the scale of production and the type of housing structures constructed. Simple structures (multi-purpose pens) are suitable for producers with small herd sizes (30 sows and below). For unit sizes above 30 sows it is recommended to construct specialized housing.

3. Breeding Stock

High quality breeding stock is essential for maximum output. Inferior stock give rise to small litters, have poor feed conversion efficiency, increase housing costs and attain inferior grades at the market. This consequently reduces the margins. It makes economic sense to invest in high quality stock from the start.

4. Feed

In Zimbabwe feed accounts for about 75 to 80% of the total production costs on a piggery. The aim is to have a least cost diet, well balanced and palatable to the animals. Pig feed contains at least 60% cereals, which are mainly grown by producers. For budgeting purposes about 3.4 tons of maize are required per sow for a farmer who is compounding his diets using maize and concentrates from local stock feed manufacturers. The tonnage of maize quoted caters for the requirements of the sow and 18 growers marketed at a live weight of 100kg.

Water is an essential nutrient and it should always be available. For budgeting purposes the farmer is advised to budget 150 litres of water per sow per day. This amount is enough for drinking and cleaning. Borehole, dam or flowing water from the river can be used for pigs.

5. Knowledge

It is critical for the producer to have some knowledge on how to run a pig production enterprise. Sound knowledge and skills in the running of a piggery enterprise help to improve production efficiency and hence viability of the business.

6. Market Outlet

Pork competes with other meats like beef and chicken. A glut on the market of competing products can lead to a drop in demand of pork. Pigs can be marketed through abattoirs like Colcom or they can be customer slaughtered and marketed through private butcheries and large retail outlets. A reliable market should be secured to avoid unnecessary expenses. Farmers have to identify the market for their pigs before they start producing them. A guaranteed market is critical for the smooth running of a pig production enterprise as it enables the producer to plan with confidence. In choosing a market, price offered and the distance to the market needs to be considered.