Robert Macharia, the founder of Mwihoko Dairy Goat Farm in Kiambu county, doesn’t regret engaging in dairy goat farming as the venture has proved to be more lucrative than it seemed.

Macharia started his farming journey with two goats in 2011 which he says he kept as a source of milk for his family. His friends started asking for goat milk, and he decided to increase and commercialize his herd.

His 40×60 feet farm currently hosts 78 dairy goats of various breeds, including German Alpine and the Saanen.

“I prefer the Alpine breed because it is a hardy goat, and it can survive anywhere. If handled well, it produces more milk, and it sustains me with the quantity of milk I want,” says Macharia.

Out of the 78, he currently milks 24 goats which produces about 60 litres of milk daily. The farmer sells the milk locally at Sh200 per litre, raking him Sh12,000 per day.

He notes that most of his clients are people on doctors’ instructions to take goat milk as it is medicinal while the rest are people who know the benefits of goat milk.

Goat milk is superior to cow’s because it is rich in calcium and amino acids, which are necessary for the development of healthy bones. it is also low in cholesterol and, therefore, safe for people who are keen on cholesterol intake.

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To ensure enhanced milk production, Macharia feeds the goats with hay, notably the Boma Rhodes grass, which he says is easier for urban farming.

“Green matter is hard to get in urban areas and also can’t be stored for long. Hay can be kept for a long. I only supplement it with dairy meal and make sure there is enough clean water,” he says.

He also earns extra cash from the sale of his mature goats and kids. Each goat goes at a varying price, depending on age.

A 2-6 months old dairy goat fetches Sh15,000 while a 6-10 months old fetches Sh20,000. On the other hand,  a goat in its first lactation goes for Sh40,000 while the one in its third lactation period fetches Sh50,000 and above.

Macharia’a passion for goat farming has seen him recognized thrice in 2016, 2017, and 2022 at the Nairobi International Trade Fair as the best dairy goat breeder and the best production on goats.