Mzuzu parliamentary aspirant unveils pig farming program
Mhone: Women have limited income sources
Mzuzu City South East parliamentary aspirant Dennis Mhone had unveiled an ambitious livestock empowerment program aimed at transforming community livelihoods through pig farming.
Mhone, who is running under the Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) ticket in the September parliamentary race, said he is introducing the program after seeing that many people in the constituency have limited income sources
“I have seen that many people, especially the youth and women, have limited income sources, that is why I am starting this program. This is not just a donation, it is an investment in sustainable livelihoods. I want to give my people generational wealth, not handouts which last for a day,” Mhone said.
The program targets local groups of 15-20 people, each of whom will receive 10 female piglets and one male piglet to kick-start community-based pig farming.
“I have clinched a deal with Twivwane Farms, which is into pig farming. I have already purchased some piglets and will distribute them to organized groups in my constituency. Right now, people are getting organized in groups, and I am expecting to start distributing the piglets this month,” Mhone said.
The project includes a technical support component, where veterinary experts will train the groups on proper animal care, provide medical assistance to the pigs, and assist in constructing suitable pig shelters. Beneficiaries will be responsible for building the pens and feeding the pigs.
Mhone has framed the project as part of a long-term vision for community empowerment and economic resilience.
“This will be like a revolving fund, whereby initial beneficiaries will pass the piglets to others, ensuring that many people are reached and everyone in the constituency benefits. I want my people to have something tangible even after five years. If they take my plan seriously, they will remember me as their best MP ever,” Mhone said.
He added, “The future belongs to the organized, as NASFAM says. We need to dream in color and revolutionize our thinking.”
According to Mhone, he has settled for pigs due to the vast benefits they offer.
“Pigs can breed up to twice a year and produce between seven and ten piglets each cycle. With the current market price of pork at MK12,000 per kilogram and some pigs reaching up to 170 kilograms, beneficiaries stand to make more than a million kwacha per fully grown pig,” he said.
He added that for those not interested in pig farming, options such as goat or local chicken farming would also be introduced as part of a broader economic diversification plan.
Mhone emphasized that the initiative aims to promote business and entrepreneurship as alternatives to formal employment, especially for school leavers.
“Not all from schools can get employment, but venturing into business can be a lifetime achievement,” he said. “This will help young people avoid immoral activities like drinking, because an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”
Mhone said the project is not just a campaign tool, promising to continue with it even if he does not make it during the September polls.
“The project will continue even if I lose. I have assisted so many people, even when I never expected I would be into mainstream politics. I just have a passion to assist. For instance, I have been slashing the whole of Mzuzu Golf Club around Mzuzu Hotel yearly because people were being attacked, and I am into so many voluntary services just to help,” Mhone said.
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