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The Chief Executive Officer of Tobdar Pig Farms, Tobias Deku, has advised individuals seeking to venture into pig farming to begin with manageable investments and expand gradually as they gain experience in the industry.
Mr. Deku made the remarks during an exclusive interview with Awal Yahya on the newly launched Adwinton Business Hour, where he shared insights into the realities of livestock farming and the keys to long-term success.
According to him, many aspiring farmers enter the industry with unrealistic expectations and often invest beyond their financial and technical capacity, leading to avoidable setbacks.
“My advice to anyone who wants to start pig farming is simple: start within your strength. Do not rush to become a large-scale farmer overnight. Begin with what you can comfortably manage and grow from there,” Mr. Deku said.
The livestock entrepreneur explained that successful pig farming requires patience, discipline, and practical knowledge, noting that experience gained from managing a small operation can be invaluable when expanding a business.
He stressed that beginners should focus on mastering the basics, including feeding, housing, disease prevention, breeding management, and record keeping.
“A farmer who starts with ten pigs and manages them well has a better chance of succeeding than someone who starts with a hundred pigs without proper planning or knowledge,” he stated.
Mr. Deku noted that one of the most common mistakes among new farmers is prioritizing expansion over proper management.
He said some entrepreneurs are attracted by stories of quick profits and invest heavily without understanding the day-to-day responsibilities involved in livestock production.
“Pig farming is a business that requires attention and consistency. If you grow too fast without building the right systems, you can easily face challenges that affect the health of your animals and the profitability of your farm,” he explained.
Despite the challenges, Mr. Deku described pig farming as one of the promising areas of agribusiness with significant potential for income generation and employment creation.
He encouraged young people to consider agriculture as a viable career path, particularly at a time when governments and stakeholders are promoting local food production and agribusiness development.
According to him, success in farming should be measured by sustainability rather than size.
“Every successful farmer started somewhere. What matters is building a strong foundation and growing steadily. Agriculture rewards those who are patient and committed,” he said.
Mr. Deku also called for increased training opportunities and mentorship programmes to help young farmers develop the skills needed to succeed in the livestock sector.
He believes practical education and access to professional guidance can significantly reduce the failure rate among new entrants into agriculture.
The comments formed part of a broader discussion on entrepreneurship, livestock production, and agribusiness development during the Adwinton Business Hour show.
As Ghana continues to promote agriculture as a driver of economic growth, industry players like Mr. Deku say empowering beginners with the right knowledge may be just as important as providing access to capital.
“Start small, learn the business, and grow gradually,” he concluded.