As farmers continue to leverage opportunities in the agribusiness sector, Furaha Wanjiru, a livestock farmer in Kilifi, has found success in goat farming.
Her farm, christened Binuru Goat Rearing Farm in Zowerani in Kilifi County, hosts over 400 mature Galla goats weighing between 45kgs to 70kgs.
Narrating her journey, Wanjiru revealed she stepped into the venture in 2012 after acquiring the 30-acre piece of land for Sh700,000.
“We were a group of friends on an adventure to invest in farming at the Coast region from Nairobi. Our idea was to rent the farms but not buying,” she said.
She set up her farm after visiting farms in Tororo, Uganda, and Gichea Farm, Taita Taveta. The farmer started with 100 goats purchased in Garissa for Sh200,000.
However, by 2018, she had lost 93 goats to pneumonia and unscrupulous herders who conspired to sell some goats.
Mildred Adhiambo: Kisumu farmer milking money from Galla Goats
“Due to pneumonia, I lost 20 goats and had to call experienced farmers to help solve the problem. I realised that animals from Garissa were prone to diseases and I changed the source of purchase,” Wanjiru said.
Her farm has since grown to accommodate 450 mature Galla goats, which are sold at different prices depending on age.
For instance, a two-month-old goat goes for Sh4,500 and as much as Sh12,000 for a two-year-old goat.
“I am into big-bodied goat farming because they are hardy and can survive in arid and semi-arid areas and are profitable,” she said.
“The goats have a good income and are easily managed even with a small space of land compared to cows”, Wanjiru added.
She spends Sh10,000 every three weeks to buy water for her 10,000 litres pan and drugs as advised by the vet. She adds that monthly income is based on demand.
