EYA winner Duncan shares winning foy for success in pig farming

STORIES BY AMANDA MAMBA

Manzini

Duncan Dlamini, the overall winner of the 2025 Eswatini Entrepreneur of the Year Award, says Eswatini

has significant potential in pig farming.

Dlamini was speaking to young entrepreneurs during a youth piggery engagement session held at Alcon

House in Manzini.

He said research had shown that one of the major setbacks for pig farmers was the lack of proper

production strategies and poor record-keeping. He noted that many farmers failed to keep accurate

records on production costs and output per pig, which was crucial for success in the piggery business.

According to the Youth Enterprise Revolving Fund (YERF) Situational Analysis of the Piggery Business, a

total investment of E2.64 million was injected into 53 businesses. However, outstanding debt currently

stands at E2.59 million to date, while 44 businesses have since closed down. The funding programme

began in 2019 and was suspended in 2022.

Dlamini said one of the biggest challenges among pig farmers was the misuse of funds due to a lack of

discipline.

“First, you need to understand that business funds do not belong to you personally, but to the

business,” he said.

He explained that pig farmers were often paid lump sums in cash and ended up misusing the money. He

further reminded the young entrepreneurs that profits in pig farming were not made on the day of sale,

but from the moment a piglet was born.

Dlamini said profitability started with the piglet’s birth weight, proper care and ensuring that it grew

well until it reached the market stage.

Poor genetics crippling Eswatini’s pig farming Industry — Duncan

“The issue of genetics has destroyed pig farmers in the country.”

These were the sentiments shared by Duncan Dlamini.

Dlamini noted that the genetics used in Eswatini produced carcasses with lower weights compared to

those in South Africa, placing local farmers at a disadvantage in the market.

He explained that South African farmers used popular genetics such as PIC, DanBred and Topigs, which

produced heavier carcasses. According to Dlamini, the average carcass weight achieved by South African

farmers using these genetics was around 85kg.

“We are aiming to reach an 85kg carcass weight by selling our pigs at 22 weeks, which would give us a

live weight of between 110kg and 115kg,” he said.

Dlamini stated that without improved genetics, it would be difficult for local farmers to compete

effectively in the market.

He added that feed accounted for nearly 70 per cent of production costs in pig farming, leaving farmers

with the remaining 30 per cent to cover salaries and other operational expenses.