Gicumbi: First female university graduate applies for a pig farming internship at VAF
Josiane Muhayimana is among the outstanding female students who excelled academically in 2025 (Class 14, UTAB), earning a certificate of merit. She made a deliberate decision to pursue pig farming as a professional career,challenging the common belief that pig farming is a male-dominated occupation.
In an interview with Green Africa, Josiane explained that she applied for an internship in pig farming at Vision Agribusiness Farm (VAF) because it was where she had completed her first internship. She developed a strong passion for the field there and gained advanced practical skills, which significantly contributed to her high academic performance. This excellence earned her recognition as one of the best-performing students in the Animal Production department at the University of Technology and Arts of Byumba (UTAB).
She says she has now gained a deep understanding of pig farming, noting that pigs are not animals that thrive in dirty conditions, they reproduce quickly, require relatively low-cost feed, and are easy to manage when it comes to disease prevention and treatment. As a result, they can produce high yields within a short period.
“I chose pig farming because I understood how quickly it generates high productivity. Here at VAF, we have pigs that can give birth to between 18 and 20 piglets, twice a year. This means a single sow can produce more than 30 piglets annually, which is very different from other livestock that give birth once a year to only one or two offspring,” she explained.
She added that beyond reproduction, she also learned the economic value of artificial insemination using improved pig genetics. When practiced professionally, artificial insemination is a highly profitable activity because farmers seeking improved breeds are willing to pay, which boosts income and can transform livelihoods in a short time.
Josiane’s long-term goal is to share the knowledge she acquired with traditional pig farmers by offering training and technical support. She plans to start this initiative in Gakenke District, her home area.
Ntakirutimana Samuel, a veterinarian at VAF who supervises Josiane’s daily work in animal health management, praised her dedication. He said she works confidently and passionately, showing a strong desire to launch her own pig farming project. She has mastered animal treatment and disease prevention, particularly avoiding the risks associated with uncontrolled breeding practices common in traditional systems. Instead, she is committed to using certified, high-quality breeding methods.
“We practice professional pig farming with improved breeds. We use reliable artificial insemination that ensures high-quality production, whether for meat or reproduction. When you have proper semen storage equipment and understand breed selection and distribution, you can meet farmers’ needs while avoiding genetic and health risks linked to inbreeding,” he said.
This passionate young livestock farmer encourages her peers especially women to embrace pig farming, emphasizing that it is not a profession reserved for men. She believes that with passion and commitment, anyone can succeed and rapidly improve their living standards.
She concluded by expressing her deep gratitude to UTAB management and lecturers for the knowledge they provided, and to VAF leadership, particularly Mr. Shirimpumu Jean Claude, for awarding her a motivational prize that strengthened her determination to achieve her dream of becoming a model pig farmer. She is confident in her success, inspired by examples such as Ms. Jeannette, who has already transformed her life through a similar award from VAF.
