In the outskirts of Nakuru, nestled in the beautiful town of Kiamunyi, a remarkable farming success story is taking place.
Irungu Gatune, a 47-year-old former teacher, has found a unique way to turn what might be considered a waste into a lucrative business opportunity.
On his farm, Gatune has unlocked the potential of chicken droppings, transforming them into highly valuable animal feeds and nutrient-rich manure for crops.
Gatune’s journey into the world of poultry farming began in 2016 when he decided to leave his teaching profession behind.
He started his venture by rearing 5,000 layers, but what sets him apart is his approach to sustainable and eco-friendly farming. “Nothing on my chicken farm goes to waste. This is highly valuable raw material for making animal feeds and manure,” Gatune proudly asserts.
The meticulous process of turning chicken droppings into animal feeds and manure begins with the collection of droppings from the chicken house.
These droppings are then carefully spread inside a greenhouse adjacent to the chicken production area, where they are left to dry for three to five days, depending on the prevailing weather conditions.
Gatune emphasizes the importance of using a greenhouse to keep impurities and bacteria at bay while retaining the optimal moisture content.
The greenhouse creates a controlled environment, expediting the drying process of the waste.
The carefully dried droppings are then moved to a sieving room in another greenhouse, where they are further monitored for dryness over a period of two days.
After this, skilled laborers manually crush the dried droppings on a sieve, meticulously removing any impurities in the process.
The collected impurities are transformed into manure and sold to crop farmers, completing the cycle of sustainability.
The refined chicken droppings, now free of impurities, are collected and packed in 90-kilogram sacks, ready for the market.
Gatune’s farm produces an impressive half a tonne of chicken waste daily, and each 90-kilogram bag is sold at Sh500 within Nakuru town and its environs.
Unsurprisingly, the demand for his products is soaring.
Among Gatune’s satisfied customers is Githinji Njau, a dairy farmer from Kiamunyi estate. Njau has been purchasing Gatune’s chicken waste since 2017 to supplement his cow feed.
“I buy the waste to supplement my feeds that I give to my cows,” He attests
Njau prefers Gatune’s animal feeds over those available in the market, which are often adulterated and expensive.
The cost of animal feeds is a concern for many farmers, and Gatune’s innovation offers a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly alternative.
“Feeds are very expensive. This is why I prefer to buy chicken waste to supplement my own animal meals.” Njau explains
With such positive testimonials, Gatune’s business has flourished, as more farmers recognize the value and quality of his products.