Turning dairy farming into a business opportunity

This blog presents the dairy farming journey of Caroline Tanui from Sachangwan village in Bomet County, Kenya’s Rift Valley. Caroline keeps dairy cows and grows maize and sweet potatoes to support her family. She began dairy farming with one cow after visiting a farmer in a neighbouring village in Kaplong who practiced zero grazing and demonstrated that dairy farming is also a business. Today, she keeps four cows, including a Friesian, an Ayrshire and local breeds that are gradually improved through artificial insemination.
The blog describes milk production from different breeds and income from milk sales. It also explains feeding practices under zero grazing, including silage, dairy meal supplements, salt, Napier grass and clean water. Lessons learned from other farmers and trainings are included, especially on feed quality, silage making and storage.
The blog further describes experiences from a farmer field day organized by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), where farmers shared knowledge on fodder crops, silage improvement, harvesting and storage practices, artificial insemination services, savings and credit groups, and livestock management. It also describes how cow waste is used in a biogas system and as manure, the role of family members in supporting dairy activities, and how silage helps during drought periods. The blog concludes with the importance of continuous learning through interaction with farmers, trainings and field days.