DAIRY FARMING IN KENYA
Dairy Farming in Kenya a is one of the world's leading dairy producers, with a total milk production of 1,180,000 tons in 2021. The country has 1,360 dairy farms, of which 1,250 are small-scale operations. Dairy farming in Kenya is a key sector of the Kenyan economy, accounting for over 9% of total agricultural output and over 9,000 jobs.
The "Dairy-Farming-in-Kenya" sector is dominated by small-scale farmers, who produce a range of dairy products, including raw milk, cheese, yoghurt and cream. The country's dairy industry is highly competitive, with exports accounting for over 90% of total milk production.
1. HOW TO START A DAIRY FARMING IN KENYA.
Dairy farming in Kenya is an agricultural practice that involves mass production of milk. We primarily associate dairy with cows, but camels, sheep and goats produce milk.
The milk may be processed on site, transported to a dairy plant for processing, or shipped to retailers.
Specialized dairy farmers collect milk from dairy cows daily. Their daily activities include milking and feeding the cows, as well as helping the mothers deliver their babies (calves).
Dairy farming in Kenya is a business that revolves around healthy mother cows to produce high quality milk and give birth to the calves that will become the next generation of your dairy farm and help it grow organically. . Therefore, dairy producers are required to write a detailed program for cow health, reproduction and calf care. They should work with a veterinarian to formulate a comprehensive health plan to keep their dairy running smoothly and without downtime.
2. HOW TO BUILD A SMALL DAIRY FARM IN KENYA
First, setting up a dairy farm in Kenya requires a lot more money and capital than any business.
Even if you grew up on a farm or are a seasoned entrepreneur, this guide will definitely help you start a dairy farm in Kenya.
Step 1: Planning - Dairy Farming in Kenya
There is a lot of planning involved in this step. Start with one type of dairy cows to breed for milk production.
The most common dairy cattle are cows, goats and sheep. You have to slaughter livestock that cannot survive in the climate of your area.
Then think about food to feed your livestock. It is advisable to configure the power supply of your dairy farm to save money in the end.
If you are new to dairy farming, you will need to spend a lot of time learning farming practices, even if you hire dairy farmers to run your farm.
A Dairy Farming in Kenya needs capital, space for livestock operation, a feed store, a milking parlor and a sterilized facility to store the milk. So pay attention to these aspects and make an initial capital investment for long-term profit.
Step 2 - Learn the Basics - Dairy Farming in Kenya
You and everyone on your crew should be trained to learn the basics of livestock handling. This is crucial for your cattle to stay healthy and produce a good amount of milk each day.
Learn the basics of giving your livestock the proper nutrients.
Don't stop learning the art of milking a cow. It takes a combination of practice and patience to master it.
3. WHY START DAIRY FARMING IN KENYA,
The dairy industry is one of the few to have survived the COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, as we all need milk to boost our immunity.
Below, we've rounded up some compelling reasons to start a dairy farming in Kenya ,2022 and beyond:
• The dairy industry does not depend on rain. Therefore, your dairy farm will operate profitably regardless of the weather conditions. You will not suffer losses even when the rain is below average or heavy enough to cause flooding.
• Milk prices have never fallen in human history. Even if the supply exceeds the demand, the price remains the same.
• The demand for milk and its derivatives is still strong. Vegetarians and non-vegetarians drink milk.
• Milk is easier to market than many other industrial products. There is no need to open franchise stores or pour thousands of dollars into marketing your dairy products.
• Dairy farming is the only agricultural industry where income is generated each month.
4. IMPORTANCE OF DAIRY FARMING IN KENYA.
The dairy industry is also genuinely committed to taking the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from theory to reality.
Obviously, when farmers have cows, they have milk, which is nutritious and provides vitamin A and protein, among other important nutrients. From the milk that these farmers sell, they now have the capital to buy other food. A cow also produces, importantly, manure, which farmers use to fertilize their land, to grow other crops.
Therefore, dairy farmers are often not hungry farmers. I've seen this with many farmers I work with; they have money in their pockets. They can do many, many things and actually have better livelihoods. Since they have money, they can take their children to school. So they have bank accounts and they can get microcredits from them. They can improve their herds and thus their life cyclically becomes much better.
7 Amazing facts About Dairy Farming in Kenya | XAXA-FARMS
5. HOW TO DETERMINE THE BEST BREED OF COW FOR A DAIRY FARM?
There are many breeds of dairy cows. How do we know which breed is right for our farm or family situation? Milk production varies within breeds of dairy cows. The fat and solids content of milk also varies. Knowing the characteristics of the breed will help you decide if a particular breed meets your needs. Whether you are looking to start a small or large dairy operation, being as familiar as possible with dairy cattle breeds, space requirements, grazing requirements and temperament will help your business.
COMMON BREEDS - Dairy Farming in Kenya
1. Holstein Cattle - Dairy Farming in Kenya
Holstein cattle are classic black and white cows. They are by far the most popular dairy breed of all. Holsteins may be the most expensive animals (to buy and feed), but they are known to produce the most milk.
• Holstein cows represent 90% of all dairy cows in the United States.
• Although they are usually black and white, they can also be red and white.
• They are very large, usually around 1500 lbs. (680 kg) and 58 inches (1.47 meters) tall.
• They can thrive in a variety of environments.
• They usually produce at least 8 to 10 gallons (30.3 to 37.9 liters) of milk per day.
2. Jersey Cattle - Dairy Farming in Kenya
Jersey cattle are the smallest dairy cow breed and can be a bit easier on the pocket. They are beautiful cows known for their solid brown color, wide eyes and long eyelashes.
• They usually weigh around 1100 pounds. (499kg).
• Colors may vary from light brown to almost black.
• Sweaters tend to yield milk with more butterfat, which makes them ideal if you want to make butter and cheese.
• Produce approximately 4 to 6 gallons (15.1 to 22.7 liters) of milk per day.
• They are easy to reproduce because they are fertile and give birth easily.
3. Brown Swiss Cows - Dairy Farming in Kenya
Brown Swiss cows are a popular breed known for their hardiness. They produce a good amount of milk, stay in lactation longer than other breeds, and tend to be long-lived.
• Usually light brown or grey/silver.
• Swiss Brown Cows generally weigh between 1,300 and 1,400 pounds. (590-635kg).
• It is said to be the best milk for cheese.
• They tend to have large calves and some cows may have problems with their first calf.
6. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DAIRY FARMING IN KENYA
Dairy farming in Kenya is a timeless business that can be both fascinating and profitable. Since the beginning of recorded history, people all over the world and many different cultures have consumed milk and milk products, which is unlikely to change anytime soon.
Over the past few decades, modern technology has improved the efficiency of dairy farming in Kenya. However, nothing seems to be able to disrupt the industry enough to replace it entirely.
So whether you are planning to start your own small-scale dairy farm or want to get your hands dirty and work on one, you can benefit from inside knowledge about dairy farming in Kenya. With the right information, you will be able to make better decisions as you navigate the business and grow or progress.
To help you, we will share with you the eight things you need to know about dairy farming in Kenya.
1) Business - Dairy Farming in Kenya
First, it is important to remember that dairy farming in Kenya is a business like any other. This means that if you decide to start your own dairy farm, large or small, you will need to develop a business plan and get professional advice. You are starting a business and need to take an entrepreneurial approach.
Remember: none of this is to discourage you. It is just a reminder that dairy farming in Kenya is a business, and the fate of a farm (and the jobs it creates) depends on proper business planning and management.
2) Business Owner - Dairy Farming in Kenya
This second part is somewhat related to #1. As the dairy farm is a business, this would mean that the dairy producer is first the manager of that business. Therefore, while feeding and milking cows are certainly core skills on a farm, a dairy farmer must have many other skills as well.
In addition to having the ability to use and maintain mechanical farm equipment and to lift heavy loads, farmers must also have or develop their business acumen and “people skills”.
Dairy farmers need to know how to hire, fire, direct, inspire and train their workers so they can contribute to the business and earn a living on their own.
3) Equipment - Dairy Farming in Kenya
Starting even a small dairy farm requires significant investment, not just the purchase of dairy cattle. Before the cows can enter the scene, the farm must purchase equipment to meet the three basic needs of dairy farming in Kenya: giving the cows a comfortable place to stay, and feeding and milking them efficiently.
4) Global and Local Economy - Dairy Farming in Kenya
Dairy farming is much more than just the production of milk and dairy products. As mentioned in the introduction, the demand for dairy products is timeless and universal.
With the increasing population growth in the world, the demand for protein products such as dairy products will only increase over time. As a result, milk production shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon.
To put it simply, Dairy farming in Kenya is here to stay as it plays a vital role in global trade and food security.
5) Technology - Dairy Farming in Kenya
Currently, there is a surprising amount of advanced technology in dairy farming in Kenya. Farmers are discovering the benefits of useful agricultural technology, and a growing number of farms are adopting it in their daily operations.
Take, for example, electronic cow trackers. One of the challenges on a dairy farm is tracking every cow in the herd and being able to tell them apart. Indeed, specific cows may have unique health issues or other challenges that require personal attention.
6) Waste Management - Dairy Farming in Kenya
Among all you need to know about dairy farming in Kenya, here is a fun fact about dairy farming in Kenya: Each dairy cow can produce up to 80 kg of manure per day. That is 80 pounds per cow multiplied by the number of cows in the dairy.
For example, the lack of an effective waste management program can make cows sick. If this happens to just one cow, the disease will soon spread, endangering the entire herd.
Dairy farmers cannot allow this to happen, which shows how important waste management is to the operation. Additionally, farms can also generate additional income by selling their manure as fertilizer.
6) Security - Dairy Farming in Kenya
Unbelievably, safety is also a big concern on a dairy farm. After all, there are many valuable assets on a dairy farm that need to be protected, from dairy cows to expensive equipment that can cost thousands and thousands of Kenyan shilling each.
First, there are obvious security issues, such as theft and damage that dairy producers need to protect against. Even cows aren't cheap, so you don't want someone taking them away in the middle of the night!
7. MAIN INVESTMENTS AND EXPENSES - Dairy Farming in Kenya
As a major activity in the livestock sector, dairy farming in Kenya is a thriving, albeit capital intensive, business enterprise.
Dairy farming in Kenya is one of the biggest contributors to food and nutrition security and a source of income in Kenya. According to the KNBS Economic Survey 2020, dairy farming in Kenya has boosted the agricultural sector through improved performance. The quantity of milk delivered to processors increased by 5.3%, from 634.3 million liters in 2018 to 668.2 million liters in 2019.
As a major activity in the livestock sector, dairy farming in Kenya is a thriving, albeit capital intensive, business enterprise. From the cows and calves to the land, fodder, labor and machinery needed to run the farm, it's a great investment.
I. FEEDS - Dairy Farming in Kenya
For beginners who want to venture into dairy farming in Kenya, the first thing to consider is feeding the animals.
Lack of experience led to the collapse of dairy farms. The common mistake I see people make is that they start by building a stable; They bring the cows and start thinking about where the food comes from. It's wrong. You have to start with the fodder, then the structures, buy equipment, have workers, then the cows can come to a farm that has already been set up.
II. COST OF DAIRY COWS - Dairy Farming in Kenya
In Kenya, the most popular dairy breed is the Friesian, but Ayrshire, Jersey and even Boran are also common breeds.
For dairy farming in Kenya, the most recommended time to buy a cow is when she is a calf. Good or superior quality Friesian cows are expensive and can reach Ksh. 400,000 per heifer, if the farm where the calf comes from has impeccable documentation, a good reputation and the mothers have a high milk production.
III. CAPITAL - Dairy Farming in Kenya
Some of the key items included in a dairy farm capital estimate are barn, feed, milking parlor, farm machinery and equipment, and workers.
Depending on the materials that will be used to build the stable (wood or metal or a combination of both), the cost will vary.
The stable can be a mixture of wood and metal or just wood, which significantly reduces the cost. However, maybe the lowest possible is Ksh. 40,000 per space cow. Nevertheless, we have barns that came to Ksh. 200,000 per space cow.
IV. PEST AND DISEASE CONTROL - Dairy Farming in Kenya
Dairy cows are affected by various diseases that can compromise their productivity and profitability.
It is important to know when the disease was noticed. There are diseases for which we have to take samples in a laboratory to analyze the sensitivity of certain drugs. Therefore, from there, that's when we start the treatment. The cost can be quite high for some diseases, but in general, the treatment is relatively affordable.
THE BOTTOM LINE - Dairy Farming in Kenya
By now, you probably have a clear idea of what dairy farming in Kenya, how to start a dairy farm, and why now the time to take the plunge is. One thing is for sure, you should consider dairy farming in Kenya as a business and your dairy cattle as your greatest asset. Hence, they require the best care to ensure that your business revenue increases with each passing fiscal year. In addition, patience is the key to any business, so give your dairy farm time to establish itself and generate income.
If you have anything to add from your dairy farming experience, feel free to share it in the comments section below. Our readers would love to hear from you!
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