Dick S. Johnson, a pig farmer for 35 years, currently lives with his wife, four children, and four grandchildren in Waterloo, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
In the course of pig farming, Johnson has always sought effective ways and methods to find improvements. “I am one of the few pig farmers that opted for cross breeding with exotic breeds. That method has earned some of the biggest and commercially viable pigs in the recent years for me”, shares Johnson.
In 2019, BRAC Sierra Leone provided training on pig farming and livestock biosecurity to Johnson which covered many aspects of technicalities he was not aware of. They learnt how to take proper care of the pigs and piglets in a hygienic way and not leave them unattended; they should have their designated pots to drink and eat so that they don’t consume their own feces.
Farmers like Johnson in the community now regularly meet and share experiences as an organised group in order to sharpen their knowledge further. BRAC Sierra Leone’s training helps build the capacity of farmers.
“BRAC helped me build a new structure in my pig farming expertise. Most importantly I have been able to educate two of my children till their university with the earnings from pig farming. I am incredibly proud of this achievement. I am grateful to the support I received from BRAC which helped me to enhance my farming and living standard”, shares Johnson.
