Dr. Emma Naluyima, a renowned Ugandan veterinary doctor, agripreneur, and 2025 judge for the dfcu Bank–Vision Group Best Farmers Competition, is widely celebrated for transforming a small plot of land into a thriving, integrated farm and for inspiring youth and women to see agriculture as both profitable and transformative. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine and a Master’s in Health Services Research.
Combining scientific expertise with practical innovation, Dr. Naluyima has become a leading voice in sustainable farming. In this interview, she shares her journey into piggery farming, the pivotal role of financial support in scaling her operations, the challenges she has faced, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. She also offers insights into opportunities within the piggery sector and her vision for the future of agriculture in Uganda.
Her story is a compelling testament to the power of agriculture to uplift individuals, families, and communities—and a valuable guide for anyone aspiring to succeed in modern farming.
Briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your background.
My name is Dr. Emma Naluyima. I am a veterinary doctor by profession, a passionate farmer, an educator, a farming consultant, a wife, and a mother.
How long have you been practicing piggery farming, and what has kept you going all these years?
I have been practicing farming, specializing in piggery, and utilizing small plots of land for profit for about 19 to 20 years. I started with a piggery. The venture has been good to me—it’s profitable and empowering, especially for women and youth. Many people say pigs eat a lot, but that’s often due to misinformation. A pig weighing around 100 kilograms only needs about 3 kilograms of well-balanced feed per day. The challenge now is the high cost of feed. When I started, maize bran cost Shs50 per kilo. Today, it can go as high as Shs1,200.
What are some of the key lessons you have learned over the years in managing a successful piggery?
Success in farming relies on three key pillars: good genetics, proper feeding, and strong management. These three go hand in hand. For example, good genetics mean nothing without quality feed. And even with both, poor management will lead to failure. Management is about attention to detail—ensuring timely insemination, keeping accurate records, and responding quickly. If you miss a service date, you delay your production cycle, and that affects your income. It’s all interconnected.
How has piggery farming impacted your life personally, financially, and professionally?
I am grateful for this piggery project because it has transformed my life. I paid for my Master’s degree using revenue from selling pigs. Piggery, when done right—with good genetics, proper feeding, and strong management—is very rewarding. The problem is that many people want shortcuts. They buy high-quality animals but don’t feed or manage them properly, which leads to disappointment.
How did you come to know about the dfcu Bank agricultural financing or farmer support programs?
I learned about dfcu Bank when I needed financing for my piggery farm. Initially, I thought dfcu was a bank for “big people,” especially corporates and the wealthy. However, that perception changed when they supported us as Best Farmers and gave us funding. It was then that I opened an account and began banking with them.
In what ways has dfcu Bank supported your piggery project (e.g., financing, training, market linkages)?
dfcu has supported me with various financing solutions, which I have used to expand operations, restock, and import new pig breeds. Unfortunately, COVID-19 hit soon after, and I had to restructure the loan. I love dfcu—their work ethic, responsiveness, and the respect they give to farmers. Even when I win awards or prizes, I always ask for the funds to be sent through my dfcu Bank account.
How important has this support been in scaling up your operations?
The loans have been a turning point in my life. Despite setbacks like swine fever, which led to the loss of many animals, the support was crucial. It helped me get started, and the lessons I learned through those experiences helped me bounce back stronger.
What was your reaction when you were announced as a winner of the dfcu Bank–Vision Group Best Farmers Awards?
Winning the dfcu Bank–Vision Group Best Farmers Award was one of the most humbling and uplifting moments of my life. When my name was announced, I was overwhelmed with joy and disbelief—especially considering I was farming on just one acre. I felt deeply recognized for the years of hard work, sacrifice, and commitment to transforming my farm into a sustainable and impactful agribusiness.
Have you received any new opportunities following this recognition, win, and award?
Absolutely. The recognition has opened doors both locally and internationally. People I’ve never met tell me how my story has inspired them. I’ve received invitations to speak at various events and have participated in global forums, including the World Food Prize community. The award was a springboard that expanded my reach and amplified my voice in agriculture.
What are some of the major challenges you face in piggery farming today?
Swine fever remains a major challenge because there’s no vaccine yet. However, we’ve developed strategies to reduce its impact. Each time we’re hit, we learn and improve.
We’ve also diversified our feeding model. We use hydroponics and black soldier fly larvae to feed chickens and fish, which helps generate income to support pig feeding. We repurpose animal waste as fertilizer. This multi-enterprise approach helps us manage costs and remain profitable even when feed prices are high.
How do you manage risks such as diseases, market fluctuations, or feed shortages?
Our risk management strategy is based on diversification. We run different enterprises on the farm—cows, a school, pigs—so when one is challenged, another sustains us.
For example, when we get milk from the cows, we don’t sell it raw. We process it into products. Before selling, we determine how much we can use to feed the pigs. We “sell” some of the milk to the pigs, which helps them grow faster, increasing their eventual market value.
Instead of selling a litre of milk at Shs3,000, feeding a quarter of that to the pigs generates more value in the long run. This reduces reliance on external feed and helps stabilize income during market or disease disruptions.
What opportunities do you see currently in the piggery industry, especially for smallholder farmers?
Once you understand your business, the opportunities are endless. Farmers need to ask: Who are your customers? What are their needs? What’s the value chain?
What gives me an edge is my veterinary background, but I shared that knowledge. Years ago, we had to import everything—vaccines, equipment—but now, local companies produce what we need. The industry has grown.
I focused on production, didn’t spread myself too thin, and only import what’s unavailable locally. That’s how far the sector has come. So, for new farmers, the opportunity is real—they now have access to blueprints, resources, and expertise.
How accessible are local and international markets for your piggery products?
Market demand is huge—we can’t meet it. Uganda is the second-largest pork consumer in Africa and ranks high globally. The issue isn’t market access but production. Many don’t breed consistently despite the demand.
At just 2 to 2.5 months, a pig consumes 45 kg of feed to reach 25–30 kg. Their target weight is 100 kg at 6 months. That’s rapid growth and a quick turnover—if managed well. The real problem is a lack of commitment and possibly access to financing, which is where banks like dfcu come in.
What advice would you give to fellow Ugandans aspiring to venture into piggery farming?
The number one thing is knowledge. Many people rush in and burn their fingers because they don’t understand the business. This applies to piggery and any business—even hardware.
Do a feasibility study. Pay professionals. Seek information. Don’t guess. Get trained, use experts, and understand the business before investing your money. Farming, like any other business, needs a clear plan and the right expertise.
Where do you see your piggery project in the next 10–20 years?
We’ve already achieved a lot. Going forward, our goal is to turn the farm into a full-fledged learning and training centre, both for Uganda and internationally.
We’re known as top breeders, but we want to be the go-to source for knowledge and practical training. I’ve had people reach out from Ghana, India, and beyond.
Our biggest challenge is accommodation—we can only train during school holidays due to lack of facilities. In the next 10–20 years, we aim to build a training centre or hostel so farmers can come, stay, learn hands-on, and return empowered. We want to formalize knowledge-sharing and scale up our impact.
