Business

Practical Guide to Pig Production in the Tropics

You can visit our previous write up on art of pig production here. Below are pratical guide to assist your journey in pig farming.

Getting Started: Key Questions to Ask

Do I have access to clean water and land?
Is there a market for pork in my area?
Can I manage pigs daily (feeding, cleaning, checking health)?
What capital or support do I have to start?

2. Housing: Build for Ventilation & Comfort

Requirements:

Well-drained land (avoid water-logged areas).
Concrete floor with a gentle slope for drainage.
Roofing with good shade (zinc or thatch).
Ventilation with open sides or wire mesh.
Pen Size:
- Grower: 1.5–2 m²/pig
- Sow: 3–4 m²
- Boar: 4–6 m²

Bonus Tip: Use bamboo or wood if on a low budget, but protect against rain and rot.

3. Choosing the Right Pigs

Start with healthy piglets (8–12 weeks old) from a trusted farm.

Recommended Breeds:

Large White / Landrace: fast growers.
Duroc: heat-tolerant, meaty.
Crossbreeds: mix local + exotic for toughness + performance.

Tip: Avoid buying from open markets. Check for:

Clear eyes
No coughing or diarrhea
Active and eating well

4. Feeding for Growth

Pigs need balanced diets with energy, protein, vitamins & minerals.

Common Feeds (local options):

Ingredient	Use
Cassava peels (fermented)	Energy
Maize bran / Rice bran	Energy
Palm kernel cake	Protein
Brewer’s grain	Protein & fiber
Soybean meal	Protein
Kitchen scraps	Supplementary
Salt + Premix	Essential minerals

Feeding Schedule:

Piglets: 3x daily
Growers: 2x daily
Water: Always clean & available

Tip: Mix your own feed or buy commercial feed if affordable.

5. Pig Health Care

Basic Routine:

Deworm every 3 months (e.g., Albendazole)
Vaccinate if available (especially for swine fever, erysipelas)
Disinfect pens weekly
Keep sick pigs separate

Watch for:

Coughing: may be pneumonia
Diarrhea: may be infection or poor feed
Not eating: check for fever or worms

Tip: Link with a local vet or extension officer.

6. Breeding & Reproduction

Sow maturity: 6–7 months, 90 kg+
Gestation: 114 days (~3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days)
Litter size: 8–12 piglets
Weaning: 4–6 weeks after birth

Tips:

Keep records of mating & farrowing.
Provide soft bedding for piglets.
Use iron injections for piglets at 3–5 days.

7. Waste Management

Options:

Dry bedding + composting for manure
Biogas (if scale is large)
Wash waste daily to prevent odor and disease

Tip: Turn waste into organic fertilizer for crops.

8. Marketing Your Pigs

Start scouting for customers before your pigs are ready.

Sell to:

Local butchers
Restaurants/hotels
Neighbors & events (weddings, festive seasons)
Online meat sellers
Process your own pork (if allowed)

Tip: Sell at 90–100kg (5–6 months) for best profit.

9. Cost Estimate for Small Starter Farm (5 Pigs)

Item	Cost (₦ / $ estimate)
5 piglets	₦100,000–₦125,000
Housing materials	₦150,000–₦200,000
Feed (3 months)	₦180,000
Vet + medicines	₦30,000
Water & misc.	₦15,000
Total Estimate	₦475,000–₦550,000

10. Success Tips

✅ Start small and grow gradually
✅ Keep records (feeding, health, breeding)
✅ Join a farmer group or co-op
✅ Use solar or borehole water if possible
✅ Train your staff or family helper

Final Words

Pig farming in the tropics is profitable—but only for disciplined, patient, and record-keeping farmers. Whether in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, or the Philippines, a well-run piggery can be a game changer for rural families and agribusiness startups.