Young Millionaire: Meru Pig Farmer Who Started With 2 Pigs, Now Owns Over 70

• Betty Karambu loves rearing pigs, a venture that she started with just two animals and now boasts having over 70
• She disclosed that pig farming is one of the easiest among her investments because it has lower running costs and high returns
• She gave the example that one sow can give birth to over 17 piglets which can be sold in just six months for KSh 15,000 each

Betty Karambu is a young Kenyan woman who ventured into pig farming, a road less taken by youths.

In an interview with AIM Agriculture Farm, the astute farmer disclosed that what began as a modest venture has blossomed into a successful enterprise.

Given her inborn passion for farming, Betty embarked on an inspiring journey that would take her from humble beginnings to a successful pig farmer.

Through a combination of hard work, dedication, and innovative thinking, she has managed to build her pig farming business meticulously into something many would be proud of.

Started with 2 pigs

She revealed that she got into the pig project with just two pigs, a number that has since grown into over 70 and counting.

Betty explained that pig farming is the most lucrative among her ventures because the inputs are manageable and their mortality rate is low.

"Imagine, one sow like this one can give up to 17 piglets, which can each be sold within six months for at least KSh 15,000. Do your maths," she said, holding one of the piglets.

Simple multiplication brings the income from one sow to roughly about KSh 255,000, which is not a bad return by all means.

Learning new skills along the way

The wider her business expanded, the more skills she acquired, making it possible to modernise her facilities as well as implement efficient feeding and waste management systems.

One of her secrets, for instance, is that she separates the pigs based on their weight, which is important when it comes to feeding.

To ensure comfort and survival of the piglets, Betty has installed electricity lights that run throughout the day.

For a business that many youths hardly think about, Betty's success story serves as an inspiration that young entrepreneurs can consider pig farming as an alternative to employment.

Pamellah Oduor quit banking to cook

In another inspiring story on entrepreneurship, Pamellah Oduor quit her lucrative job as a bank manager to become a cook.

It was a decision that many of those who knew her faulted as ill-advised, but she channeled all she had learnt from the banking sector into the start-up.

Pamellah has since grown into a reputable brand, so much so that she often exports cooked food to clients in the diaspora.