Dairy goats are more profitable in Kenya than dairy cows Farmers who rear five dairy goats stand to benefit 45 per cent more than those farmers rearing one dairy cow. This is because goats do not need much feeds and space to keep yet their milk always retails at high price as compared to that of a cow. According to Hellen Kamba, a farm manager at Shambah Dairies farm based in Kangema, Murang’a County and which offers training to smallholder dairy goat farmers, dairy goats need less land or space and feeds as compared to the same number of dairy cows. “Farmers need to be aware that a half an acre of Napier grass can support five dairy goats while the same measure of Napier grass only supports one dairy cow. With this knowledge out there farmers can make the right decision on which venture to pursue,” said Kamba. She says that one dairy cow can give 20 liters of milk a day and a liter of dairy cow milk sells at Sh37 while five dairy goats can give 13 liters of milk daily fetching
Are you interested in dairy goat farming in Kenya? Located some 15 kilometers from Chuka town in Kathatwa sub-location is Murang’a Farm owned by Sammy Murithi, 30. Murithi keeps goats of the German Alpine and Toggenburg breeds , animals that he says have changed his life for the better thanks to their good income “These breeds are hardy and have the ability to adapt to virtually all agro-climatic conditions while producing to their maximum. Their farming has given me an opportunity to live a decent life,” Murithi says. So what makes his animals thrive? Muriithi farms brachiaria grass that helps him boost his dairy production. The fodder has thick leaves that make it hard for weeds to thrive, grows well in a wide range of agro-ecological zones and has a high vigour and high crude protein of between 14 – 20 percent. The grass also experiences minimal attacks from pests and diseases making it a good choice. For good breeding, Murithi says good nutrition, good housing