Bildad Rotich is a dairy goat farmer from Konoin village, Kuresoi South, Nakuru County.
Before transitioning to goat farming, the 31-year-old had been raising dairy cows; however, the high costs of feed resulted in expenses that exceeded the income generated from the cows.
Additionally, Rotich found himself purchasing milk from neighbors during periods when his cows were not producing.
In light of these difficulties, a friend recommended that Rotich consider acquiring a dairy goat, with the friend claiming that he was able to get four liters of milk daily from his goat.
“I sold my two cows for Ksh 80,000, an amount that was enough to buy a mature Alpine does,” he said.
Rotich explains that through a friend, he purchased two female German Alpine goats and a buck for Ksh 31,000, used part of the remaining funds to construct their shelter.
After five months, he started milking one of the goats, and as promised by his friend, he was able to get four liters daily, which was more than sufficient for his family’s needs.
Initially, selling the excess milk to neighbors proved difficult, as they were accustomed to cow’s milk but over time, he developed a customer base.
One year into this endeavor, milk production had risen significantly, with Rotich now owning six dairy goats, each giving five liters per day.
He expresses no regrets about leaving the dairy cow business, noting that goats require less feed and are easier to manage.
Rotich points out that the cost of producing milk from a cow is ten times higher than that of a goat, and highlights that a doe typically gives birth to at least two kids, facilitating rapid herd expansion.
“I feed the animals once a day. I now have 20 milking goats, getting at least 100 litres of milk a day,” he says.
A litre of goat milk is priced at Ksh 90, in contrast to Ksh 40 for cow milk.
Rotich has selected various breeds endorsed by leading goat farmers, such as British Alpine, Saanen, and Toggenburg.
He aims to expand his herd to 100 by the end of this year.
Currently, Rotich owns a total of 32 goats, which includes kids and a few bucks.
His goal is to become a goat breeder and supply his livestock to both local groups and large-scale farmers, both in Kenya and internationally.
Rotich attributes the high milk yields to proper nutrition and the use of recommended; a portion of his land is dedicated to growing Napier and elephant grass, which he feeds to the goats.
To enhance milk production, he supplements their diet with dairy meal, and as the kids are weaned, he provides them with pellets.
Rotich uses a chuff-cutter to chop the grass, which is located near a raised pen equipped with feeding troughs, covered with iron sheets, and designed for optimal ventilation.
“My animals rarely get sick but I deworm the mature goats every three months and the young ones after every two months,” he said.
Rotich collects the droppings on a daily basis and accumulates the mound after a period of three weeks, utilizing it as fertilizer for his cabbages and tea.
Rotich rarely sells his goats and when he does, a mature female goat is priced at Ksh 30,000, while a male goat is valued at Ksh 25,000.
“I was one of the members of the Dairy Goat Association of Kenya but quit to pursue an independent path. I also had an agro-vet shop but closed it in order to monitor my goats,” he says.
Rotich has not hired anyone to look after the animals.
