Farmers have been urged to diversify into piggery farming, with sector leaders describing it as one of the most profitable and sustainable enterprises for households operating on small pieces of land.
The call was made during a distribution event where more than 100,000 people indirectly benefited from a large-scale piggery initiative spearheaded by the Rukungiri Producer Cooperative Union in partnership with the Microfinance Support Centre (MSC).
The cooperative’s model farm, located in Nyakagyeme Sub-county, Rukungiri District, has evolved into a regional hub for improved pig breeding, farmer training, soil restoration, and household income generation.
Dr. Sam Akankwasa, Chairperson of the Rukungiri Producer Cooperative Union and overseer of the project, said the cooperative was founded to address declining agricultural productivity caused by population pressure and land fragmentation.
“Initially, we were mainly cattle keepers, but increasing population and migration led to severe soil exhaustion,” Dr. Akankwasa said. “We turned to science-based solutions, particularly the use of animal waste such as pig manure, to restore soil fertility while creating income opportunities.”
He explained that pigs offer faster returns on investment compared to many traditional livestock enterprises. With pigs maturing quickly and reproducing at a high rate, farmers can begin earning income within six months.
“With growing pressure on land, pigs can be reared on small plots. In about six months, a farmer can sell piglets and reinvest in other ventures,” he noted.
Following a partnership with MSC in 2020, the cooperative strategically transitioned into large-scale piggery. At the time, the union was operating in only one county. Today, it has expanded to six districts across the Kigezi region.
“When MSC found us, we were limited in scope. With their support, we scaled up pig production. All our members receive pigs from this farm free of charge as seed capital,” Dr. Akankwasa said.
He added that the project has introduced improved pig breeds in a region where such genetics were previously unavailable. The cooperative now conducts internal breeding using improved lines to ensure quality and productivity.
To tackle the high cost of feeds — which can account for up to 80 percent of piggery production expenses — the cooperative has adopted innovative feeding strategies.
“We process pasture normally fed to cows by cutting and chopping it for pigs,” he explained. “We also use cow’s milk to feed piglets, which has significantly reduced mortality rates and overall production costs.”
Dr. Akankwasa described piggery as a transformative enterprise for low-income households.
“From one pig, you can get up to 130 pigs in a year under proper management. That makes piggery one of the safest and most profitable ventures for smallholder farmers,” he said.
Beyond boosting household incomes, the project has stimulated local economic activity and job creation. The demonstration centre alone employs over 40 people, while thousands more are engaged in pig trading, pork vending, transportation and farm labour.
The cooperative currently has nearly 10,000 direct members who have benefited from receiving pigs and projects growth to 50,000 members in the coming years. Across the districts where it operates, the programme has close to 100,000 indirect beneficiaries, including traders and families supported through pig-related enterprises.
Lydia Namara, Operations Officer at MSC, said the partnership was informed by the urgent need to uplift communities grappling with shrinking land sizes, food insecurity and limited cash crop options.
“The cooperative approached us with research showing that pigs generate more income than other enterprises on small plots of land,” Namara said.
MSC formalised the partnership through a memorandum of understanding and provided the initial 100 seed pigs. The cooperative successfully managed and multiplied the stock, with pig numbers now exceeding 2,000 and more than 1,000 ready for distribution.
To date, MSC has supported 264 farmer groups and identified an additional 149 groups to benefit from the programme. The centre prioritises organised and savings-oriented groups to ensure sustainability.
“We work with active poor communities that are united and already saving. Together with the cooperative, we train them in best farming practices before providing pigs,” Namara said.
She added that the benefits extend beyond pig sales. Families are paying school fees, improving coffee and banana yields using pig manure, and creating employment opportunities for youth and women — positioning piggery as a catalyst for inclusive rural transformation.