Inside the Sh70,000 a goat enterprise

The Toggenburg breed comes from Switzerland and has been exported to many countries for dairy farming, including Kenya, the US, and South Africa. They do well in temperate and semi-arid regions, provided they have shade, proper nutrition, and clean water.

Their milk, known for its good butterfat content, is ideal for cheese production, while their gentle temperament makes them easy to manage.

“They are strong, reliable, and give good returns. That is why I chose them,” says Mr Mwenda.

His journey into dairy goat farming began while he was still a university student. A graduate of Maasai Mara University with a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Statistics, he saw potential in a niche that many in his home county of Tharaka Nithi had overlooked.

Starting small

He started small. “I had saved about Sh40,000, which I used to buy two does, construct a small pen, and purchase feed. That is how Chamugo Dairy Goats Farm was born,” he recalls.

The early days were far from easy. Balancing academics with farm management proved challenging, especially since he had to rely on hired help while away in school.

“The first two years were tough. I made little to no profit because I was mostly studying. But I never gave up,” he says.

After graduation, Mr Mwenda immersed himself fully in the business. He visited established dairy goat farms across the country, learning about breeding, feeding, disease control, and farm management.

That hands-on research, he says, shaped the success he enjoys today. Today, Chamugo Dairy Goats Farm has grown into a thriving enterprise with over 100 goats, including 15 milking does and six mature breeder bucks.

Mr Mwenda has employed four full-time workers, a significant leap from when he was the sole caretaker. His feeding programme is thorough. The goats feed on dry matter such as maize stalks and dry Lucerne, complemented by fresh green fodder and nutrient-rich concentrates like dairy meal, pollard, and mineral salts.

“I am very particular about feed rations,” he says, adding, “Nutrition directly affects milk yield and breeding quality. I make sure every goat eats well, and clean water is always available.”

The results speak for themselves. Each of his milking goats produces between three and five litres of milk daily.

The income

He sells the milk at Sh150 per litre, mainly to local public and private hospitals in Tharaka Nithi, which prefer goat milk for its high digestibility and suitability for patients with allergies or dietary restrictions.

Mr Mwenda's breeding programme has become a reliable income stream. His Toggenburg bucks are hired out for breeding services at Sh1,500 per session, while mature breeding bucks fetch over Sh70,000 each. A four-month-old kid sells for not less than Sh10,000.

The challenges

He sells about four bucks every month. “My customers come from all over the country — Mombasa, Kitui, Kajiado, Bungoma, even Homa Bay.” The demand, he explains, is driven by farmers seeking hardy, high-yielding dairy goats.

Despite his success, the youthful farmer admits that dairy goat farming is not without challenges. Diseases, fluctuating feed prices, and unpredictable weather patterns are among his biggest hurdles.

“Diseases can spread fast if hygiene and vaccination are not taken seriously,” he warns. That is why he has invested heavily in preventive care — deworming, vaccination, and maintaining clean housing.

The rising cost of feed has forced him to innovate so that his profitability is not affected. “I grow some of my own fodder and store dry matter during the rainy season,” he says.

Prized buck

Additionally, he practices smart reinvestment to grow his farm. "Consistency is everything. Every coin I make, I put it back into the business. That’s the only way to grow. If you give back the money to the business, it will eventually feed you," he observes.

His Toggenburg was ranked the premium goat at this year’s Nairobi International Trade Fair, organised by the Agricultural Society of Kenya. It weighed 60 kilos.

“You could tell it was strong and special from birth. The mother was big and healthy, and the sire was a pedigree Toggenburg. Good genetics and good care go hand in hand,” he says. "I never imagined I could come this far," he adds softly, glancing at his prized buck.

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