February 2025
During the last days of our 7-day training, we heard a story that resonated deeply with everyone. Since it was so well received, I decided to share it again today with my mother-in-law.
The story takes place in a small village where a mother-in-law gave each of her three daughters-in-law 200 grams of maize before leaving on a pilgrimage. She told them she would return in four months and would check on the maize upon her return. The daughters-in-law were left wondering what to do with the maize.
The eldest daughter-in-law carefully placed the maize in a bag and stored it away, believing that keeping it safe was the best course of action. The second daughter-in-law thought it would be best to consume the maize immediately. She fried and ate it, telling herself that she would buy more later. The youngest daughter-in-law, however, saw that it was the planting season. She decided to sow the maize, hoping that by the time her mother-in-law returned, she would have a thriving maize crop.
When the mother-in-law returned after five months, she asked to see what each of them had done with the maize. The eldest daughter-in-law proudly brought out the bag, only to find that the maize had rotted, and insects had taken over. The second daughter-in-law admitted that she had eaten hers, thinking she would replace it later, but had not managed to do so.
The youngest daughter-in-law, however, led her mother-in-law to her small field, where lush maize plants were ready for harvest. The mother-in-law was overjoyed and turned to her other daughters-in-law, using this moment to teach them an important lesson. She explained that just like maize needs to be cultivated and nurtured to grow, money and resources should also be invested wisely for long-term benefits. She reminded them that this principle applied to everything in life, including their businesses—such as her pig farming endeavor—which required consistent care and effort to flourish.
As I was sharing this story, Meera arrived with Sudesh, our technical assistant. Seeing them brought me great joy. Sudesh took a keen interest in the pig farm, carefully examining the sheds and the pigs. He asked about the type of fodder I was providing, and I shared my current feeding practices with him.
Sudesh offered valuable advice, emphasizing that yam leaves are an excellent nutritional supplement for pigs. He explained that yam leaves are rich in protein and essential nutrients, promoting better growth and overall health. In addition, he provided some key recommendations for improving pig care:
- Balanced Diet: Along with maize and traditional feed, incorporating yam leaves, sweet potato vines, and leguminous plants enhances the pigs’ nutrition.
- Clean Water Supply: Ensuring fresh and clean drinking water at all times is crucial for their health and growth.
- Proper Shelter: The pig sheds should be well-ventilated, clean, and protected from extreme weather conditions however he told me that my shade is OK
- Routine Health Checkups: Regular deworming and vaccinations prevent diseases and ensure the pigs’ well-being.
- Waste Management: Proper disposal of waste and maintaining hygiene in the pigsty help prevent infections and improve productivity.
Listening to Sudesh’s advice, I realized how small but thoughtful efforts can lead to significant improvements. Just like the youngest daughter-in-law’s maize flourished through her foresight and hard work, investing time and care into our piggery will yield great rewards.
This experience reinforced the importance of knowledge-sharing and continuous learning, whether in business, agriculture, or life itself. I am grateful for these insights and look forward to applying them to make my pig farming even more successful.
Sudesh informed me to notify him if anything happened, so my business could run successfully. I am touched by the WAWCAS team, as usual, and I promised to take care of my business according to his suggestions.