From backyard to business: How one cow led this couple into dairy farming success

Christopher Ngugi attends to one of his dairy cattle Kanguku village Muranga county. He is one of the anthrax victim which occurred in the county in February 2024. [Collins oduor, Standard] "When my wife and I received a cow from my father-in-law shortly after we got married, we didn't know it would change our lives. At the time, we were young, newly married, and just trying to figure out our way in life. That cow, gifted to us without ceremony, ended up being the turning point in our journey into dairy farming," begins Kennedy Ngugi. "We didn't have a big piece of land-just 1/8 of an acre. That's all we could afford in the peri-urban outskirts of Nairobi. Many thought it was too small to farm anything meaningful, let alone raise cows. But we were determined to make something out of it. Today, we have 20 cows, and we're still growing." At first, the young couple didn't take the cow too seriously, seeing it merely as a source of milk for their daily needs. Then one day, when the cow gave birth and started producing milk, they had some excess they couldn't consume. They decided to sell it. "We sold a few litres to a neighbour, then a few more the next day. That first sale - I remember it so vividly - it was just a few shillings, but to us, it felt like we had hit the jackpot. We realised that with proper planning, this could become a viable business. That's when the dream was born," says Ngugi of the genesis of Home Bright Dairy Farm at Kasphat Estate, Kiambaa Sub-County, Kiambu County. Space was a challenge from day one. The entire compound was just 1/8 acre. Ngugi had to be creative and began to research intensively - watching videos, visiting farms, and learning from other dairy farmers. "I built vertical structures for the cows and partitioned the space carefully to ensure maximum utility. Every inch counts here," he recalls. The small cowshed allows the animals to move around comfortably while keeping their sleeping and feeding areas clean and separate. Waste is managed efficiently and used to make organic manure, which supports a few vegetables on the side. The integration of dairy and small-scale crop farming helps reduce operational costs. Feeding 20 cows on such a small space means the couple cannot afford to grow all the fodder themselves. "But we've learned how to mix feeds properly to balance nutrition. I buy hay and silage in bulk during the dry season and store them well to reduce wastage. I also use dairy meal and mineral supplements to improve milk production," says Ngugi. Over the years, they have fine-tuned the diet and now track each cow's yield against what it consumes. This allows the couple to identify underperformers and make adjustments. The best-performing cows produce up to 25 litres a day. "None of this would be possible without my wife. From the beginning, she has been right there with me - milking cows, preparing feeds, helping with the record-keeping, and even marketing the milk. We share the responsibilities equally. It's truly a family business," says Ngugi proudly. The couple, who started with nothing but a gifted cow, today not only have 20 cows, but they also supply milk to several local households and sell the surplus to cooperatives. "We're now exploring yoghurt and other value-added dairy products," says Ngugi. He says he believes in the power of technology. He uses simple mobile apps to track the health of his cows, breeding schedules, and milk output. These records have helped him stay consistent and plan better. He also watches agricultural training content online, which he says is how he first discovered FarmKenya, which later came to feature his farm. "We've also invested in a small milking machine to improve hygiene and efficiency. It reduces stress on the cows and saves us time, especially in the mornings," says Ngugi. However, it's not all rosy. The farm struggles with high feed costs and inconsistent veterinary services. Sometimes, getting quality AI (Artificial Insemination) services is a hassle, and they have lost calves in the past due to poor services. Market pricing is also unpredictable. According to Ngugi, one day a litre of milk fetches Sh50, the next day it's Sh35. This fluctuation hurts the bottom line, especially due to overhead costs. That's why the couple plans to start producing their own branded milk products - to cut out the middleman and improve their margins. "I appreciate the government's efforts to support dairy farmers through subsidised fertiliser and extension services, but more needs to be done to support smallholder farmers like us. Access to affordable credit is still a major hurdle. We need tailored financial products that understand the rhythms of farming," says Ngugi. "If the government wants to see real change in this sector, then it must invest more in infrastructure - rural roads, cold chains, and market systems. They should also listen to farmers more often. We are the ones in the trenches." He says young people shy away from farming because they think it's hard and unrewarding. But while it's hard work, Ngugi says, it's honest work, and with the right mindset, it pays. "I started with one cow and now have 20. If I can do it, anyone can. There is dignity in farming. There's also innovation, money, and endless potential. You just need to start small and think big." He hopes to turn his small farm into a training centre one day - a place where urban and peri-urban youth can learn that they don't need massive land to become a successful farmer. "I believe farming is the future, and we need to stop importing food when we can produce it ourselves," says Ngugi. "When we hosted FarmKenya on our farm, it was a big deal. Not just because of the exposure, but because it validated our journey. It showed others what is possible with passion, resilience, and a bit of support."

From backyard to business: How one cow led this couple into dairy farming success

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From backyard to business: How one cow led this couple into dairy farming success

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