Sometimes, life's challenges push us to unleash our hidden potentials. As a passionate civil servant, I once thought working for the government, receiving a steady salary, and looking forward to a paid gratuity at the end of my service was enough. However, when inflation hit, prices skyrocketed, and commodities became unaffordable, the harsh reality dawned on me: I hadn't reached my financial destination.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I sought out a colleague who seemed more comfortable and radiant despite the economic challenges. I asked him how he was managing. With a warm smile, he revealed his hidden passion: livestock farming, specializing in pig breeding and rearing. I was amazed and eager to learn.
At the second thought however, doubts crept in, fueled by misconceptions about pigs being wild and dirty. I also worried about lacking capital and the stress of combining farming with teaching. Yet, after two weeks of contemplation, I decided to follow my friend to his farm, leveraging our afternoon closings as teachers.
On the farm, I discovered a new world. My mentor's expertise and patience guided me through the intricacies of pig breeding, nutrition, and health management. I learned about the importance of balancing diets, exploring alternative feed sources like PKC, corn shaft, watermelon, and potatoes. Proper housing and hygiene practices became clear, and I grasped the value of vaccination and disease prevention. I also discovered that one can start piggery with little capital. To my surprise, I also discovered pigs can be clean depending on their environment.
As I gained confidence, I took the plunge, purchasing my first pig, a grower, and renting a pen. The pig was growing so fast that and I was happy. Three months later, I hired a male pig for mating. Fast forwarded to the delivery, the excitement was palpable as my pig gave birth to five piglets. However, two died days after, and the five remained only three. Just when I thought the ordeal was over. Two piglets further died, leaving me heartbroken with only one piglet.
The experience taught me invaluable lessons. I realized that one can start small but not with less than two pigs, in order to mitigate risks and time wastage. What happens if none of the piglets survives? It means starting all over. But if there are two mother pigs at least, if one does not yield, the other will. Proper care and management also became my mantra. Undeterred, I bounced back, caring for the remaining piglet and acquiring two more. Months later, they gave birth to 15 healthy piglets, a testament to my growth.
Today, I proudly look back on my journey. Piggery has transformed my life, providing financial stability and a sense of accomplishment. I have more than enough piglets. I sell some after weaning while I leave some to reproduce. With piggery, I no longer wait for government before I take care of my home. God has enlarged my coast, and I'm grateful for taking those initial steps.
My Vision for Tomorrow
My vision for the future is clear. I plan to expand my piggery, exploring new markets and opportunities. I aspire to empower others, sharing my knowledge and experience to inspire a new generation of farmers. In fact, through piggery, I've discovered a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Lessons Learnt
My journey has taught me resilience, hard work, and the value of perseverance. I've learned to adapt to challenges, embracing uncertainty as a catalyst for growth. Piggery has also shown me the importance of community, collaboration, and seeking guidance from mentors. Above all, I learnt not to be complacent, but to dream big and work towards its reality.
In conclusion, my journey into piggery has been transformative. It's a testament to the power of determination and the rewards of exploring new opportunities. As I continue to grow and learn, I remain committed to sharing my story, inspiring others to unleash their potentials.
Photos used in this article are shot by me.
