Introduction to Dairy Farming
Dairy farming is an attractive agricultural practice and plays a vital role in many Kenyan lives, be it the farmers, processors, milk farmers, and you, as the consumer.
Milk is one of the many necessities most Kenyans can’t do without daily.
Why is that? Can you imagine your morning without taking a cup of tea? And all the other forms of dairy products you can buy at a milk store or the supermarket.
That’s why we have people rearing dairy cows for enough milk production for the family, while others produce milk for commercial purposes.
That said, let’s get you started with what is dairy farming?
What is dairy farming?
Dairy farming is a type of livestock farming where cows are kept for milk production that can either be for domestic or commercial purposes.
Most farmers may involve cows only in the dairy farming practice, but we also have those who include other animals, such as goats, sheep, and camels.
Dairy farming in Kenya is practiced mainly in Rift Valley, Central, Eastern, Western, and Coastal region of Kenya.
Types of dairy farming in Kenya
Dairy farming is widely practiced in Kenya, where small-scale farmers account for about 80% of the milk, while large-scale holders contribute the remaining 20% of milk in Kenya.
This brings us to the two types of dairy farming in Kenya, and they include:
Commercial dairy farming
When practiced in the highland dairying area its referred to as highland commercial dairy farming. Alternatively, when it’s carried out in the coastal region of Kenya, it’s called lowland commercial dairy farming.
Commercial dairy farming involves rearing cattle with the sole purpose of milk production to be sold to supermarkets, milk stores, etc. Some of the common dairy companies engaging in commercial dairy farming include Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC), Brookside Dairy Limited, Kinangop Dairy, and many more.
- Domestic dairy farming
As its name suggests, domestic dairy farming is the traditional practice where many Kenyans rear dairy cows for milk production with the sole purpose of family consumption.
However, this has changed with time, where we have domestic farmers now selling milk to local people and local markets.
Importance of dairy farming
Dairy farming in Kenya is an industry that does not only benefit in milk production, but it also provides food, income, and employment to millions of people in Kenya.
Some farmers also get to produce and sell manure as fertilizer. Also, milk is used in dairy products, such as yogurt, cheese, butter, condensed and dried milk, and ice cream.
Dairy farming contributes about 4% of the GDP of Kenya. That’s why it’s one of the most valuable agricultural farming practices in Kenya.
4 common dairy breeds in Kenya
Most people can venture into dairy farming as a business or for domestic use. But all this is possible by getting the right type of dairy cows that can thrive well in Kenya.
Here, we will be looking at the four most common dairy breeds in Kenya.
Friesian/Holstein
- Black and white – big-framed
- 40-60 liters of milk per day
- Optimal in high potential areas
- 12-15 months maturity period
Jersey
- Grey and dark – small-framed
- 10-20 liters of milk per day
- Optimal in high potential areas
- 18-22 months maturity period
Ayrshire
- Brown/red/mahogany and white – medium-framed
- 20-30 liters of milk per day
- Optimal in medium potential areas
- 15-18 months maturity period
Guernsey
- Brown and white -medium-framed
- 10-20 liters of milk per day
- Few of them in Kenya but fairly drought resistant
- 18-22 months maturity period
There are several other types of dairy cows that you can find in Kenya such as the Sakiwal, Channel Island, and Dairy Shorthorn breed.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a long-term investment, then you can consider starting a dairy farming for production of milk, manure, and selling of calves. Start by getting a dairy breed that meets your purpose and budget as well as one with best qualities to thrive well for your dairy farming in Kenya.
14
All alerts
consumption by
Change the wording
CONCISENESS
Some farmers also get
Updating suggestion…
This sentence may be considered wordy. Consider changing the wording.