Quick facts about small scale farming in Kenya, dairy farming starting cost, profitability of dairy farming, success tips and many more.
Majority of farmers practice small-scale dairy farming in Kenya, both in rural and urban areas. Dairy farming in Kenya is ensures continuous supply of milk and milk products. Small dairy farming in Kenya has been one of the greatest ways for most farmers to generate daily income and fend for their families.
Kenya has a record of high rates of milk consumption. Although the average small-scale farmer dispenses milk in liters, smaller portions are further broken down to affordable quantities to the local consumer and profiting the farmer.
Dairy farmers in Kenya practice farming methods using different breeds of cows. The farmers can enjoy quality and quantity milk production depending on the type of care given to the animals. Some species have a smaller milk production capacity, while others produce large milk quantities.
Popular Dairy Farming Breeds In Kenya
The most reared dairy cattle breeds in Kenya include;
- Guernsey
- Brown Swiss
- Ayrshire
- Holstein
- Jersey
- Milking shorthorn
Small Scale Dairy Farming Kenya Methods
Methods of cattle rearing production system
1. Open Range
The farmers have a grazing field where the animals are allowed to feed and roam in the field—at the end of the day, and the animals are taken back to their shelters. Farmers consider providing other food supplements to the cows to balance their diet for quality milk production.
2. Semi- Zero Grazing
The farmer prepares a shelter for the cows and a grazing field too. The dairy cow is fed on nutritious feeds and watered from the shelter, and allowed to graze in the provided field for a couple of hours daily. Semi- zero-grazing allows the animals to exercise enough while in the fields.
3. Zero Grazing
The farmers keep the cattle in a single shade from which they are fed with all king of feeds and watered from the same place. The cattle are confined to help them use less energy in locomotion. Cattle under zero-grazing have a higher volume of milk production.
Zero grazing are convenient for rearing more than one cow since less space is occupied and dung collection is more manageable.
Cost Of Starting Dairy Farming In Kenya For Small Scale
Beginner dairy farmers have to consider the cost of starting dairy farming in Kenya before making further decisions. A solid financial foundation is a crucial determinant of the success of a dairy business.
Every phase from the first move progressively requires a good funding system. Miscalculation of funds can delay transitioning, losses, and even farmers’ failure to achieve set goals. However, farmer with a proper financial budget is to enjoy more returns from milk production in the first harvest.
Small-scale farmers with fewer funds can consider starting the business with a single dairy cow in a simple shelter in the back yard and progressively grow to higher production. An average dairy farmer should consider some of the fundamental factors as illustrated below.
Cost of starting dairy farming in Kenya
| Items | Total Cost Estimation |
| Labor | Ksh. 70,000 |
| Shade construction | Ksh. 20,000 |
| 1 dairy cow | Ksh. 80, 000 |
| Artificial insemination | Ksh. 1, 000 |
| Calf care | Ksh. 20, 000 |
| Vaccination and other medications | Ksh. 15, 000 |
| Concentrates | Ksh. 30, 000 |
| Forage | Ksh. 17,000 |
| Total | Ksh. 253,000 |
Profitability Of Dairy Farming In Kenya
Successful dairy farming in Kenya depends on the farmer’s effort of maintaining high productivity products. Proper watering and feeding on a timely basis of cattle by farmers improve productivity and maintain consistency in milk production.
Young potential visionary farmers may ask themselves, is dairy farming profitable in Kenya? Yes. Dairy farming in Kenya is the most profitable business in Kenya and there exists a ready market for your milk.
Factors That Makes Dairy Farming In Kenya Profitable
Let us look at some of the benefits dairy farmers enjoy that enhances their profitability in dairy farming business in Kenya.
Reliability
A dairy production system is favorable to the farmer because the cows do not rely on climatic conditions to give quality milk. The season throughout the year does not affect milk production as long as the cows’ feeding program is well monitored.
Growth Of Financial Strength
Farmers are assured of daily income as milk is daily both from local manufacturers and large manufacturing industries. Dairy farmers can comfortably care for the family’s needs and have a daily plan of growing their financial strength.
Reduced Or No Wastage
Milk consumption among the Kenyan communities is high since the vegetarians and non-vegetarians. The market is always guaranteed throughout the year, even at the rise of other producers.
Easy Marketing
A dairy farm produces are not hard to market, a time, small-scale farmers require simple structures from which they can sell their products. Most of the rural farmers have customers come to their homes to buy their milk.
Affordability
Milk can be portioned in smaller quantities at affordable prices to the local consumers. Reduced quantities are an added advantage to the farmer since the milk distribution can reach the common.
Mwananchi Without Strain.
Small-scale dairy farming in Kenya is one of the few businesses with guaranteed returns daily. Most small-scale farmers market their products to the local communities surrounding the place of productions. Successful dairy farming in Kenya can be achieved even by a single productive dairy cow.
Benefits Of Small Scale Dairy Farming To A Farmer
- It helps utilize free space in the compound to acquire wealth
- The farmer manages family needs without strain
- They enjoy exercise higher positions of power in the society
- The acts as a rescue for emergencies in the society
- The farmer can contribute to the needs of the community due to financial capabilities
- The farmers can be hired to give dairy farm training to beginner farmers at a fee.
- The farmers can bring local developments to the community, such as constructing modern structures and shops.
- The farmer can add to the income by selling mature calves or heifers
- The farm manure can be used in other agricultural farming, or the farmer may choose to sell to other farmers at a fee.
Benefits Of Small Scale Dairy Farming To The Country
- Improvement of health status in the community due to affordability
- The creation of employment opportunities has improved the living standards of the people.
- The government can trace the needs of the society through the farmer as a point of contact.
- The dairy farm can be used to carry research projects by government and non-government institutions.
- Agricultural students can have research projects and attachments to complete their tertiary studies from the dairy farm.
- The farm can be a stop-over for tourists visiting the area at a fee
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