Dairy goats project that started as a joke

When Jonathan Kiptum bought two dairy goats to supplement his family’s milk demand, he became a laughing stock in the village.

Apparently, in the little known village of Anin in Elgeyo Marakwet County, dairy cows are the norm.

Despite the scorn, he went ahead with his new-found farming venture.

“They thought I was joking. They spoke behind my back but I blocked my ears. My eyes were set on the goal,” he says.

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He started with Kenya Alpine goats, a breed, which thrives in warm and temperate conditions. Kiptum has three grades of Kenya Alpine goats; pedigree, appendix and intermediate.

To boost productivity, he built a zero grazing unit for the goats using readily available materials like timber and mabati. The animals feed on locally available feeds like shrubs and sweet potato vines.

“Unlike dairy cows, goats are not heavy feeders and they can survive on the pastures in the homestead,” says Kiptum.

Within no time, curious neighbours started flocking his homestead to find out what was going on.

“Villagers soon started streaming into his compound to find out how the milk tasted. That time one of his goats had given birth to twins,” Kiptum says.

Slowly, villagers started making orders to buy the goat milk when they learnt it is rich and nutritious.

Where it thrives

Research shows goat milk is a powerhouse of protein, healthy fats, vitamins, iron, and other essential nutrients. It keeps your bones and teeth stronger, due to its high calcium content. The goats are also high breeders. Unlike the local breeds residents are used to, the Kenya Alpine gave births in doubles or triplets.

“There was a particular year where one goat gave birth to six kids,” he recalls.

Kiptum says demand for goats is so high sometimes he is overwhelmed.

“It is interesting because, people even book before the goat gives birth,” he says. And to avoid such scenarios, he has lined up the customers and restricted the purchase to maximum two goats to give every interested person a chance to own a goat. Thanks to his success, the village is now warming up to the idea of rearing dairy goats. 

Emmanuel Kipkongor, a resident who has also embraced goat keeping, says he was impressed by how Kiptum had transformed his life with goat money over a short period.

“These goats give birth twice a year, and the kids take only six months to be served, provided they are fed well,” the breeder says.

Mr Kipkongor says returns from goats are high compared with that of cattle. Locally, goat milk retails at between Sh100 and Sh200 a litre, compared to a cow milk which can fetch as low as Sh18 per litre.

Eleven years down the line, Mr Kiptum is a self made goat breeder supplying the dairy goats in the larger Rift Valley and Western regions.

Kiptum specialised in selling goat milk and goats of various ages. A six-month-old goat ready to be served costs Sh15,000.

“My customers come from far and wide. Even Kericho County Deputy Governor Susan Kikwai, came and bought three goats,” he says adding that he sells a minimum of 10 goats per year.

His farm is also a learning centre and on the day of the interview, he was taking visiting farmers around educating them on best practices.

“My fellow villagers are embracing the venture and currently, we have more than 60 farmers from this sub-location who have abandoned cattle for dairy goats. Goats are low maintenance in terms of feeds and space required,” he says.

He is keen on hygiene to avoid spread of diseases.

“To reduce dampness which causes diseases, the pens should be raised up to a metre above the ground to ensure the enclosures are dry,” he says.

His main challenge is costly feeds for the animals especially when they are lactating.

Local Livestock Production Officer William Bore says the Alpine goat is ideal for the local climatic conditions.

“These goats thrive well along the hanging escarpment and the valley because of the prevailing climatic conditions,” he says.

Mr Bore says goat keeping is a sure way of combating food insecurity in the region because many people cannot afford dairy cows.

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