How to Start A Lucrative Pig Farming Business in Ghana

Pig farming is one of the most lucrative agribusinesses in Ghana and so many smart entrepreneurs are making money from it. The profitability of piggery is because of the high demand for pork and pig products like sausages and smokies in Ghana.

Another interesting thing about pig farming is that pigs reproduce in large numbers and grow faster. With this, you can easily make your money in a short time.

One female pig (sow) can give birth to as much as 12 piglets at a time. This makes pigs one of the most reproducing farm animal in the world. A group of pigs is called a herd or drove.

Having said that, in this article, you will learn everything that there’s to know about pig farming in Ghana.

3 Convincing Reasons to Start a Piggery

1. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN, 38% of all the meat consumption in the world goes to pork. This means you can export your pigs and/or their meat to any country of your choice, and we guarantee you there is going to be a demand for it.

2. Pigs’ pregnancy lasts for only four months, and each female pig (sow) can give birth to 6-12 baby pigs (piglets) in each litter. This gives you up to 12-24 piglets a year if your sow gets pregnant twice. Usually, it takes about half a year for piglets to mature, but if you work things right, you will have a recurring stream of piglets coming your way.

3. Pig production is relatively inexpensive. Pig feed does not cost that much, and the farm upkeep will not empty your wallet. It is also one of the least expensive farms to keep up when compared to other farm animals. At the same time, it will definitely bring in a steady stream of revenue.

How to Start a Pig Farming Business in Ghana

If you are planning to start a piggery in Ghana, then you’re definitely at the right place. Pig farming isn’t as easy as it seems, however, when armed with the right information, it can be so lucrative.

Step 1 – Secure a Good Location

Before venturing into pig farming, you need to secure a good location. The location of your pig farm should be accessible to good transport, clean water and close to the market.

Also, ensure that the location of your farm would not contribute to environmental problems because sometimes, pigs could ooze off unpleasant odours in the neighbourhood. As such, you should choose a location in a non-residential area.

Instead, consider looking for a piece of farmland in a rural community. All you need is one plot of land if you want to have a small pig farm. However, you can also think of the future and purchase a piece of land that is larger than you need. That way, you can expand your farm, as the business will bring in the first profits.

Step 2 – Build a Pigpen

After acquiring land, you need to build a pigpen where you will house your piglets. The pen should be well ventilated to enhance the proper circulation of fresh air and also shade during high temperatures. Recommended materials for a pigpen are concrete or iron, depending on your preference and budget.

When constructing your pen, do not forget about a good drainage system. Otherwise, the whole thing will smell absolutely terrible. It should be cleaned regularly to avoid excessive stink and contamination. Think also about the water system for the pigs. There should be a water pool, which should be cleaned often, as they like to swim in it, too.

Additionally, when constructing a pen, create a separate space where you will keep piglets. It’s advisable to separate piglets from their mother so that they can grow and mature faster.

Step 3 – Select Suitable Breeds

With everything all set up, you need to buy pigs for your farm. They are different breeds of pig, but they have different production scale. It is advisable to pick a pig breed that is highly productive to earn maximum profits.

Some of the most profitable pigs in Ghana are Large White, Landrace, Yorkshires, Tamworth, Mulefoot, Hereford, Duroc, and Hampshire pigs. You are required to conduct thorough research about the pig before purchasing

You should buy both male and female pigs. Depending on how big you want to start, you can buy from just two pigs to 20 pigs. Consider the size of your farm and the scale of your production before deciding on the amount. Always check that the piglets are healthy; ask for their vaccination history and take a look at the conditions they have been kept in.

Step 4 – Get Good Pig Feed

Pigs are great in a way that they can eat practically anything. However, the best meals for domesticated pigs raised primarily for commercial purposes are usually grains and meat. While corn is one of their most coveted meals, they can be fed with cooked vegetables and leftover meals in the house.

To ensure the pigs grow fast and healthy, it is preferable that they feed on vitamins, rich supplements, and heavy protein meals, which could span anywhere from soya beans to cooked meat.

The pig feed should be purchased in large quantities, and a larger part of the protein feed should be reserved for the mature pigs since they consume more meals than the smaller pigs.

Clean water is also extremely important. As we have mentioned before, pigs love to bathe in their water basins, so you need to make sure you change that water regularly. You should also consider installing a water system that will supply water straight to their pens (think guinea pig cage on a much bigger scale).

Step 5 – Get Professional Assistance

Just like every other living thing, pigs do get sick. To keep your pigs healthy, you will need the help of a veterinarian. The doctor should take care of regular vaccinations, frequent visits and check-ups and give you recommendations on how to take care of your pigs.

Additionally, if you’re into commercial pig farming in Ghana, you’ll need to employ workers in your farm. These workers will be assisting in the cleaning of the pigs and the pens, feeding the pigs and isolating the sick ones etc.

Step 6 – Breed Your Pigs

Pigs are very fertile animals as such it’s very easy to breed them. They have a shorter gestation period when compared to cows. A sow reaches maturity after 8-9 months, and she has the capability of giving birth.

Pig farming in Ghana is very lucrative, however, for beginners, it’s recommended to start small. With experience and time, you can choose to expand your farm. In as much as it is cheap to start pig farming, it’s quite stressful because you need to tend to them from time to time.

I recommend you do thorough research before venturing into this agribusiness. You’ll be saving yourself some stress by getting all the necessary information about pig farming in Ghana.