From Farm to Fertilizer: Wendy Piggery’s Circular Approach to Agriculture

A 19-year-old entrepreneur is redefining pig farming with an innovative, circular model that maximizes resource utilization and creates multiple revenue streams.

Based in Botswana, Wendy Piggery was founded by Wendy Therisanyo Keabetswe, who received a national award for academic achievement at just 19 years old. The business began in 2023 under the name Africa Pork and quickly evolved into a more comprehensive agricultural venture.

The core concept behind Wendy Piggery is simple yet powerful: there’s more value in pig farming than just selling pigs. Keabetswe explains, “One of our key aspects is processing pig manure into fertilizer, which gives us an additional product while also helping grow crops that contribute to our own feed requirements.” This approach reduces production costs and creates a sustainable cycle.

Meeting Demand with Efficiency

Botswana’s pork market presents both challenges and opportunities. While demand hovers around 5,000 tonnes per year, local farmers currently produce only about 1,800 tonnes—meeting just 35% of national needs. Established competitors exist, but Keabetswe is focused on building a more efficient production model.

“The opportunity isn’t simply to produce more pigs—it’s to create a system that uses resources more effectively,” she says. This includes:

• Raising pigs for market
• Processing manure into fertilizer
• Using the fertilizer to grow crops for feed

Expanding Beyond Livestock

Keabetswe envisions Wendy Piggery becoming a hub for agricultural innovation. The company’s priorities include:

• Building production capacity and establishing reliable supply chains
• Expanding fertilizer production and usage
• Integrating additional crops into the circular system

The business has faced challenges, including restrictions related to Foot-and-Mouth Disease. During these periods, Keabetswe’s team focused on strengthening farm infrastructure and improving production systems.

With a clear vision for growth, Wendy Piggery represents a new approach to livestock farming—one that prioritizes sustainability, resource efficiency, and value creation beyond the primary product.