How a farmer makes Ksh. 135,000 from four dairy cows
Photo, Courtesy
Best Dairy Farmers in Kenya: BY FARMERS TV:
When Gilbert Ngetich bought his first Friesian cow in 2009, little did
he know that 10 years later, he would be feted for his outstanding
performance in a field he had little knowledge in.
He was awarded a gold certificate last week for his Sweet Farm Dairies Roret farm which stood out among others in the region.
The competition organised by the
Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Irrigation and Elgon Kenya, a
non-governmental organisation, was aimed at encouraging farmers to
transform their farms through technology.
“In 2009, I bought a pedigree Friesian
heifer which gave birth to the first heifer the following year. The cows
have since multiplied; I now have 13 cows. The number could have been
higher than this but I sold some,” said Ngetich.
The 41-year-old farmer said he decided
to rear the Friesian breed as it’s known to produce more milk compared
to other breeds. A single cow can produce up to 60 litres of milk per
day.
Four of Ngetich’s cows are lactating, four are in gestation which means his milk production is set to go up.
“At the moment only four cows are at the
peak of milking. I milk over 90 litres of milk a day. I sell the milk
at Sh60 a litre which means I earn at least Sh4,500 daily and Sh.
135,000 monthly,” he said.
Apart from selling milk, Ngetich has ventured into producing butter.
“We sell the morning milk raw but the
one milked in the afternoon is boiled and from it we extract the cream
that we sell to neighbours,” he said.
They make at least five 500g tins of the cream daily.
To maintain the quality of his breeds of
cattle, Ngetich said at the beginning of every year he identifies at
least ten Artificial Inseminators with quality and superior seed.
“I do a thorough research before
settling on a bull for the seeds. This has helped me maintain the
quality of the breed which also means consistency in the quality and
quantity of milk produced,” he said.
To feed the animals, Ngetich makes his own feeds.
“I realised by making my own feed, I
minimise the risk of diseases finding their way into my farm, I am also
able to maintain the quality and cleanliness of the feeds which is very
important,” he added.
But since his quarter of an acre farm is
inadequate, he leases three acres in the neighbourhood where he grows
boma rhodes, maize, oats and sorghum which are used to make the feeds.
An acre which he leases for Sh6,000 produces 100 bales of boma rodes which would have cost him at least Sh60,000 per year.
Each of Ngetich’s cows consume 20-30kgs feed in a day.
From animal waste, the farmer generates
biogas which is used in his home while the rest is used in his farm
where he grows vegetables.
“I have planted various traditional vegetables which earn me at least Sh400 per week,” he said.
Ngetich said one his greatest tips in
succeeding in dairy farming is proper farm management adding that a
simple issue such as keeping the sleeping area wet and untidy is reason
enough for a cow to cut its milk production.
“Cattle, like human beings love comfort,
when you treat them well, they return the favour by producing more
milk. If the area is wet and dump, the cows will be at the risk of
contracting mastitis. A farmer must also ensue the place is not infested
with flees and other disease carrying parasites,” he noted.
Besides focusing on dairy farming, Ngetich has also ventured into bee keeping.
“I have 20 beehives. At every honey harvesting season, I harvest at least 20 litres of honey per season,” he said.
He sells a litre of honey at Sh1,500.
“I make between Sh20,000 – Sh30,000 from honey every harvesting season,” said Ngetich. Best Dairy Farmers in Kenya.
Story, Courtesy.
Story, Courtesy.
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