Businessman turns goat farming into a youth employment venture

Kenya is discovering that goat farming can provide youth employment and income, extending beyond livestock rearing to include milk production, meat processing, and animal feed supply. Mutitu Goat Farm, founded by businessman Patrick Wanjau, has created over 20 jobs through this venture. Wanjau notes that goat farming generates jobs across the entire chain, from herders and milkers to feed producers, slaughterhouses, and transporters.

Kenya currently has around 38.4 million goats, a 9.8 percent increase from the previous year, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. The herd consists of approximately 37.8 million meat goats and 649,528 dairy goats. At Mutitu Goat Farm, Wanjau identifies milk and meat as the primary revenue streams, with breeding stock offering additional income.

These products give farmers options to diversify their earnings, with milk providing a steady income source, while meat and breeding animals can be sold based on market demand and production cycles. However, establishing a profitable goat farming business requires more than just obtaining livestock. Factors such as feed availability, veterinary care, breeding management, suitable housing, and reliable markets are crucial for success.

While goats can thrive in various environmental conditions and forage on different vegetation, commercial production necessitates investment in animal health, clean water, and proper feeding systems. The breed selected also plays a significant role in productivity. Indigenous Galla goats, common in northern Kenya, are well-adapted to arid and semi-arid regions and valued for their meat, milk, skin, and manure.

Dairy breeds like Saanen, Alpine, and Toggenburg are raised for higher milk production. The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) has crossed these breeds with local goat ecotypes to enhance their adaptation to Kenyan conditions. The Ministry of Agriculture has identified meat goats as priority value chains in counties like Mandera, Turkana, Marsabit, West Pokot, and Baringo.

For young people considering this enterprise, Wanjau advises understanding the market and production costs before investing in animals. He recommends starting by identifying the market, assessing costs, and understanding the care required for the animals.