Ann Wakili Mwangi, the director of Meved Dairy Farm, has a remarkable story of determination and a passion for making a difference.
From her humble beginnings in a rural primary school to becoming a nursing officer and eventually a successful farmer, Ann’s journey is a proof to the power of hard work and unwavering dedication.
Here is her story as told by WoK.
Diversifying into Agriculture
In 1981, Ann Wakili furthered her education by pursuing a diploma course in Midwifery.
Her aspirations extended beyond the healthcare sector when she and her husband acquired a 5-acre plot of land in 1986, marking the beginning of their agricultural endeavors. [
Their first attempt at maize farming proved challenging due to unpredictable weather patterns, but their determination was unwavering.
“We embarked on our first farming endeavor in 2000, planting maize with hope and anticipation. Unfortunately, the crop faltered as the rains ceased, leaving us disheartened.” Ann Wakii said during a You-tube interview with Lynn Ngungi.
However, undeterred by this setback, they persevered and planted again in the following season, and this time their efforts bore fruitful results.
They harvested a bountiful yield, bringing renewed optimism and reaffirming their belief in the resilience of the farming journey
In 2007, they ventured into animal farming, starting with a Zebu cow.
Later, they introduced hybrid cows to increase milk production after witnessing a scarcity of milk in their area, which compelled them to travel long distances to purchase milk from neighboring tea farms.
“At the beginning, our cows yielded a mere 7 liters of milk, which proved insufficient as demand from neighbors grew,” Ann Wakili added.
Following the post-election violence in 2007/2008, they acquired six Fresian cows, and within six months, their milk production flourished.
The quantity increased steadily, reaching 20, 30, 40, and eventually 50 liters.
Customers continued purchasing until their daily milk supply reached an impressive 150 liters.
To accommodate the surplus, they invested in a cooler to store the remaining milk after each sale.
As time passed, they secured a market for their milk and began selling to processors, solidifying their place in the industry.
The Rise of Meved Dairy Farm
The couple’s persistence paid off, as their dairy farm flourished over the years.
By implementing best practices in dairy cow management, including providing comfortable sleeping arrangements, nutritious animal feed, and selective breeding, the farm’s milk production soared.
Meved Dairy Farm expanded to accommodate 172 hybrid dairy cows, supplying the region with high-quality milk.
However, recent droughts have posed challenges, reducing the herd to 120 cows.
Undeterred, Ann diversified her operations by incorporating poultry farming, now housing 10,000 chickens and producing an abundance of eggs.
”We have transformed the vacant space with a thriving population of 10,000 chickens, comprising mainly layers and a few broilers. Our daily collection of 250 trays of eggs attests to the incredible demand for our products, as not a single egg remains in our store by day’s end.” Ann said.
The concept of rearing chickens has always been an integral part of their farming lifestyle.
In its initial stages, they had a modest flock of around 300 chickens.
However, it was in 2019 that when they took a significant leap by introducing cage chickens, expanding their operations to accommodate a total of 500 poultry.
Venturing into poultry farming served as a strategic substitute for their cows during periods of scarcity, such as when animal feed prices soared or cow yields diminished.
Furthermore, they have dedicated 80 acres of land to cultivating essential animal feeds, namely sorghum and maize.
This self-sufficiency allows them to provide optimal nutrition for their poultry while mitigating the impact of external factors on our operations.
Through their holistic approach to farming, combining poultry and crop cultivation, they have fostered a resilient and thriving ecosystem that supports their goals of sustainability and profitability.
Each element of our farm harmoniously contributes to the overall success of Meved Dairy Farm, enabling them to provide high-quality products to our valued customers.
Challenges
The exorbitant cost of electricity remains a formidable challenge for manufacturers and processors.
This month alone, Meved Dairy Farm incurred a substantial Kshs. 768,000 expense to Kenya Power, excluding solar energy.
”Without our solar systems, the monthly expenditure would be even more staggering. We earnestly hope for a reduction in energy costs to enable better financial balance.” Ann said.
In terms of employment, their workforce comprises 72 staff members, with an additional 10 daily casual workers to assist with routine farm operations.
”Our main motivation lies in combating unemployment, creating opportunities for rural youth, and curbing rural-to-urban migration.” Ann remarked.
