Dairy Goat Farming in Kenya: How to Get Started

Dairy goat farming in Kenya is gaining traction as a smart solution to land pressure. Throughout Kenya, land pressure is intensifying. As farms are increasingly subdivided, the average farm size continues to shrink. This puts many Kenyan farmers in a difficult position: how to grow food for their families while also raising livestock that can generate income. While dairy cows remain popular, many small-scale farmers are unable to afford the upfront costs of purchasing cows, building zero-grazing units, and growing enough fodder. But there is a powerful alternative—dairy goat farming in Kenya.

In this article, you will learn how to start a profitable dairy goat farm, the benefits of goat milk, essential setup practices, feeding, breeding, housing, and how to navigate challenges while maximizing profits.

Why Dairy Goat Farming in Kenya?

Dairy goat farming in Kenya offers a practical and profitable option for farmers with limited land and resources. Dairy goats are specially bred to produce milk and can yield up to 12 times more milk than indigenous goats. Here’s why dairy goat farming is gaining traction across Kenya:

• High Milk Value: Goat milk sells at more than three times the price of cow milk in many regions.
• Health Benefits: Goat milk is rich in Vitamin A, essential for children’s growth and eye health. It’s also easier to digest than cow milk, making it suitable for people with allergies or stomach issues.
• Fast Multiplication: Dairy goats can kid twice a year and often give birth to twins or triplets.
• Low Land Requirements: Just half an acre of Napier grass can support up to five goats—compared to just one cow.
• Women Empowerment: Most dairy goats are owned by women, providing an income stream and food security.
• Manure and Biogas: Goat manure is nutrient-rich and excellent for organic farming or generating biogas for cooking.
• Diverse Products: In addition to milk, farmers can produce cheese, yoghurt, and even sell surplus male goats for meat or breeding.

Comparing Dairy Goats to Dairy Cows

As the table shows, dairy goat farming in Kenya can be more profitable per litre of milk than keeping cows, especially for farmers with smaller parcels of land.

What You Need to Start Dairy Goat Farming in Kenya

Before jumping in, make sure you’re adequately prepared. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Goat Housing

• Build a raised house with slatted floors for cleanliness.
• Use local materials like poles, off-cuts, and timber.
• Ensure proper ventilation, feed troughs, and water containers.
• Allow 1.5 to 2 square metres per goat.

2. Fodder and Feed Supplements

• Main fodder: Napier grass, maize stover, sweet potato vines.
• Supplements: Calliandra, Leucaena, Desmodium, grains, molasses, dairy meal, and mineral salts.

3. Breeds

Choose high-yielding dairy goat breeds such as:

• Toggenburg
• Saanen
• German Alpine
• Crosses with Galla goat

4. Labor

Family labor may suffice, but you’ll need consistent feeding, cleaning, and milking routines.

5. Market Access

Target local households, hospitals, children’s homes, and processors. Form or join a dairy goat co-operative to reach broader markets.

Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Dairy Goat Farming in Kenya

Step 1: Establish Fodder Sources

Start by planting Napier grass and protein-rich shrubs like Calliandra. Aim for enough to feed your goats year-round. Banana peels, cassava leaves, and maize stover are good supplements.

Step 2: Construct the Goat House

Build a raised wooden structure with slatted floors and good ventilation. Include a small outdoor exercise yard to keep goats active and healthy.

Step 3: Acquire Dairy Goats

• Visit a certified breeder or contact your local livestock office.
• Ensure the goats are vaccinated and disease-free.
• Get a livestock movement permit if you’re sourcing goats from another region.

Step 4: Implement Routine Management Practices

Feeding Routine

Feed goats 3 times a day with:

• Roughage: Chopped Napier grass (3cm pieces).
• Protein: Desmodium, fishmeal, cottonseed cake.
• Energy: Molasses, bran, maize germ.
• Mix your own supplements if needed (6 scoops cereal + 0.5 scoop protein + 1 tbsp minerals).

Breeding

• Use a healthy, active male goat.
• Breed females at 16 months old.
• Avoid inbreeding by rotating males.
• Mating should happen 2 months after kidding.
• Gestation period: ~150 days.

Caring for Newborn Kids and Reducing Mortality

• Ensure kids suckle immediately after birth to receive colostrum.
• Disinfect the umbilical cord with iodine or antiseptic.
• Wean kids at 3 months and introduce roughage and 0.25 kg of supplements per day from week 4.

Disease Management and Vaccination

To ensure a successful dairy goat farming venture in Kenya, follow these health practices:

Deworming Schedule

• Adults: Before mating.
• Pregnant does: 2 weeks before kidding.
• Kids: At weaning (3 months).
• All goats: Before the rainy season.

Vaccinations

• CCPP (Pneumonia) – especially for free-grazing goats.
• Pulpy Kidney & Tetanus – for pregnant does (2–3 weeks before kidding).
• Orf (Scabby Mouth) – at 2 months.

Always consult your local veterinary officer for vaccination schedules and treatments.

Milking Procedures for Dairy Goat Farming in Kenya

• Clean udder with warm water, dry, and apply milking jelly.
• Use a clean bucket and strain milk through a clean cloth.
• Store milk in a cool, hygienic container.
• Milk once or twice a day, depending on yield.

Marketing Goat Milk and Value Addition

The market for goat milk is growing rapidly in Kenya. Here’s how to sell profitably:

• Sell directly to neighbors, health centers, and children’s homes.
• Advertise on local WhatsApp groups, social media, or farmer’s markets.
• Join a dairy goat co-operative to access processing facilities for cheese, yoghurt, and packaged milk.
• Educate customers on the benefits of goat milk to grow demand.

Challenges in Dairy Goat Farming in Kenya – And How to Overcome Them

Real-Life Success Story: Mrs. Eunice Oketch

Mrs. Eunice Oketch, a mother of seven from Kajulu village in Nyanza Province, began dairy goat farming in Kenya in 2003 with just two goats from Africa Now NGO. Despite early skepticism from neighbors, she now produces around four litres of milk daily. She sells three litres and keeps one for her family.

Her profits—approximately Ksh 2,000 per month—help her pay school fees and meet daily expenses. She now has three more young goats and is expanding her flock to meet rising demand. Her success is proof that dairy goat farming in Kenya is not only viable—it is transformational.

Conclusion: Is Dairy Goat Farming in Kenya Right for You?

If you’re a small-scale farmer with limited land and resources, dairy goat farming in Kenya could be your key to financial independence and improved family nutrition. With proper training, health management, and market access, dairy goats can generate consistent income and value-added opportunities.

Start small, grow steadily, and focus on quality. In time, your efforts will yield not only milk and meat but also a more secure and sustainable future.