Commercial dairy and meat goat farming in Kenya are growing fast and contributing much to the national income, economic growth and better human nutrition source.
In the past few years, goat farming has become very popular with small scale farmers in urban and densely populated areas of Kenya. I have included here, the benefits and other necessary steps for starting goat farming in Kenya.
Advantages of Goat Farming in Kenya
Goat farming in Kenya has many benefits. I have included here the main of those benefits.
- Require little capital and investment.
- Care and management are very easy.
- Need less labor.
- Climate or weather is very suitable for goat farming in Kenya.
- Great business idea with good return of invest ratio (ROI).
- Goat’s products like meat and milk has a great demand in the international and local market of Kenya.
- Goat farming is very pleasuring and enjoyable.
- You can easily meet up the nutritional demand of your family.
- Great income source for the women and children.
Starting Goat Farming in Kenya
Follow the steps mentioned below for starting goat farming business in Kenya.
Farm Location
A suitable location is very necessary for starting a goat farm. Select a calm, quite and noise free land for your farm. Ensure some necessary facilities are available in your selected land.
The necessary facilities for goats includes sufficient supply of clean and fresh water, a market near the farm, necessary veterinary services available, good transportation facilities with the nearest town or market etc.
Select Breeds
There are many goat breeds which are very suitable for farming according to the weather and climate of Kenya.
Boer, German Alpine, Toggenburg, Saanen, Anglo Nubian and some other breeds are suitable for commercial and profitable goat farming in Kenya.
After choosing the production, buy high quality fresh breeds for your farming business.
Housing
For successful goat farming in Kenya, you have to make a suitable house for your goats. Make the house rain and damp proof, free from sharp objects or direct weed, free from pest and wild animals and make a proper ventilation system inside the house.
Generally, an adult goat requires 0.5-0.75 squire meter space on an average. You can divide the house into two parts. One is place for taking rest or sleeping and another for feeding.
Make the sleeping area comfortable enough for the goats with sufficient facilities of well ventilation, soft bedding, must have to have wall with door, well roofed and well ventilation system.
You can make the feeding area with little or no roof but, it should fenced all around with a gate. The feeding area should have water trough, feed trough, slated floor, feed racks and a rain proof mineral block pack area.
Ensure sufficient flow of fresh air and light in the sleeping and feeding places of goats. See goat housing.
Feeding
Feed the goats according to their production. For example, in case of feeding meat goats, feed them complementary food for growing fast and gaining weights.
On the other hand, dairy goat needs more and more green foods for producing maximum amount of milk daily. Provide your goats sufficient roughage like Napier grass and supplements.
In case of Napier grass, chop the grass into approximately 3 cm long pieces. Include energy supplements, molasses, milling by-products like pollard or bran, cereals etc. in their food.
For protein supplements, include Calliandra leaves, cotton seed cake, Leucaena leaves, desmodium, fish-meal, dairy meal, sweet potato vines etc. in the food of goats.
Along with good food, always serve them sufficient amount of clean and fresh water according to their daily demands. See goat feed, feeding meat goats & what to feed goats.
Breeding
Goat breeding process can be done in two ways. Natural breeding and artificial breeding. Artificial breeding is not so popular in Kenya and the facilities for artificial breeding are not available enough.
The ratio of buck and doe for natural breeding of goats is 1:25. That means one buck is sufficient for breeding of 25 does. For breeding purpose, use fresh and diseases free does and bucks.
Mate the does after two months of kidding. For mating, introduce a buck with the does and leave it with does for 2-3 weeks. Gestation period of goats is less than other animals. Goats generally give birth of kids after 150 days of mating.
Vaccination
Timely vaccination is a must for keeping your goats free from all types of diseases. It also helps to keep your goats free from highly contagious diseases like PPR, goat pneumonia, tetanus etc.
Vaccinate the does 2-3 weeks before kidding to prevent pulpy kidney and tetanus. Vaccinate the kids at their 5-6 months of age. For preventing scabby mouth disease, vaccinate the goats at their two months of age.
Always vaccinate your goats in fresh and clean place with properly cleaned equipment.
Marketing
You can easily found a suitable ready market available for selling your farm products. Visit some local market and try to understand the demand of goat products.
You can also directly discuss with some people about the benefits of consuming goat’s products like meat or milk. If there any opportunities, then try international markets.
Goat farming in Kenya is becoming very popular day by day. And can be one of the best leading and profitable income source for the poor, landless and marginal people.
Commercial goat farming in Kenya can also make great contribution in the total economy of this country. So, if you are interested in goat farming and want to set up goat farm, then read as much as possible about goat farming, get training and finally do it. Best of luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
People ask many questions about goat farming in Kenya. Here we are trying to list the most common questions about goat farming in Kenya, and trying to answer them. Hope you will find your answer. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have more questions.
Is goat farming profitable in Kenya?
Yes, goat farming is a very profitable business in Kenya. You can earn good money if you start this business. Many people are already doing this business and making good profits.
How to start goat farming in Kenya?
Starting goat farming in Kenya is very easy and simple. You just have to follow some simple steps for starting and operating a successful goat farming in Kenya. The common steps for starting goat farming in Kenya are:
- Selecting a good farm location.
- Select the right breed for your production.
- Make an effective business plan.
- Make a good house for your goats.
- Feed them good quality and nutritious food.
- Keep good ratio of male and female in your farm for better breeding.
- Vaccinate your goats timely and take good care of them.
How long does a goat take to mature in Kenya?
Goats generally take 8 to 10 months to mature in Kenya.
How many goats can you have per acre in Kenya?
You can keep around or up to 10 goats per acre.
How much does a small goat cost in Kenya?
Depends on numerous factors. Generally, a small goat will cost you around Ksh. 7000.
Is buying and selling goats a profitable in Kenya?
Yes, sure! Goat farming is a profitable business in Kenya.
Where can I sell goat milk in Kenya?
You have to determine your marketing strategies before stating goat farming in Kenya. You can sell the milk to the retailers around Nairobi.
How much is 1kg goat meat in Kenya?
Exact price can vary from place to place. But on an average, you can expect the price around Ksh. 600 per kg meat.
Which is the best goat breed for milk in Kenya?
Toggenburg goats are best for commercial milk production in Kenya.
How much milk does a goat produce per day in Kenya?
Depends on the breed, and also on many other factors. If you have Toggenburg goats, then you can expect around 2 kg milk production per day.
What is goat meat called in Kenya?
The nyama choma is a specialty of grilled goat meat.
Does Kenya export goat meat?
Yes, the Kenya Meat Commission or KMC produces and offers for export sale the following products: Whole carcasses of beef, lamb and goat both chilled and frozen.
What do you feed goats in Kenya?
You can feed your goats with greens, grains, grasses, vegetables etc.
Hi;ineed boar goat breed ,where can I buy ?
U.S. Trading company interested in Partnership with a small to medium size Meat-Goat Rancher. Interested in investing dollars in business. Only serious inquiries.
Hi.
I already have 50 breeding stock. Dorper and Somali high quality breeds. 70/30 ratio. These do very well in that climate. 20-30kg weight per animal upon maturity. 4-6 months to mature. Two kids per animal per annum effortlessly.
Pasture fed, with supplements of hay and molasses, for now. Can supplement with grains.
Presently situated in well fenced 30acres in Naivasha, Kenya; with another 80acres of land unfenced but available for pasture use. Can lease another 80acres nearby if needed.
Also have a 10acre hay/feed farm to produce feed, for very dry seasons.
Capacity to produce 500 goats per annum at low cost if I utilise all the land.
Only need partnership for purposes of marketing. I’ll invest in everything else, except borehole, abattoir and cold storage.
Its more of a hobby for now. My main interest is in land utilisation: profits not primary priority.
Contact me on +254 2 737270 if serious.
I am South African and planning a commercial goat farming enterprise – exporting to the Middle East. Already has an off take agreement with UAE. I am a commercial farmer, busy with a PhD in agricultural economics. Looking for investors / partners.
Hello, I’m interested in goat farming both for milk and meat among others, I’m currently planning to venture into the business soon and I’m looking for a place to set up the farm for goat rearing, I’m looking for partnership especially with regards to market and new technology that can help maximize the output. If serious please contact me via email below.