In summary
- Kelvin is the brains behind Young Don Farm, a venture that has taken years to build. It is a robust project sitting on a 100 × 100 plot and houses at least 42 Friesian cows.
A young Kelvin Gitau never envisioned that dairy farming would one day make him a millionaire. In fact, his dream was to become a lawyer but he immersed himself into dairy farming and the profits realised have been so substantial that he has never looked back. He currently runs the Young Don Farm in Githunguri, a venture that rakes in up to Ksh 450k monthly profits.
Here is the story as told by WoK:-
Planting coriander
During the pandemic period, Kelvin came up with a smart idea of cultivating coriander for sale during the dry season.
“Why stay at home not doing something?” He poses.
He made 70 beds and ensured he irrigated his plants. At the time of harvest, each bed made him at least Ksh 2000. He used the amount to purchase his first two cows.
He notes that back then the animals were quite affordable. He started off using his dad’s shed.
Picking up from the dad
Kelvin drew the inspiration to venture into dairy farming from his dad. According to him, his father was able to educate all his four siblings through just a small scale venture of five animals. So why not go large scale and reap big?
“I had the inspiration because if at all my father raised us, the five of us with five cows – what if I did it in large scale?” He poses.
Sacco Savings
As someone who had envisioned something bigger, he registered and bought shares at a cooperative where he supplied his milk. The two cows produced a total of 50 litres daily. Within a few months, he had deposited roughly Ksh 300k and applied for a loan three times this amount.
“They gave me the loan amounting to three times my shares. That’s where I collected my first good money, the Ksh 900000,” he told Lynn Ngugi.
Growing bigger
He constructed a simple shed and purchased 5 more animals. He continued supplying milk to the cooperative and made more savings. He then made a decision to move out of the father’s homestead and acquired a 100 × 100 plot at Ksh 3.3 million.
The accounting and finance graduate currently has 42 Friesian cows and produces 500 litres daily. To be able to feed his animals, he leases 4 acres of land where he plants grass and maize for production of silage. Hecredits his success to the cooperative loans that have enabled him to expand the venture.
“It is very easy. For an employed person, they will be told to bring a payslip. But as a farmer, I am told to bring the milk,” he says.
Making Ksh 450000 Monthly
Kelvin hints that his production of 500 litres earn him Ksh 25000 a day. At the end of the month, he makes a gross income of Ksh 750000. However, expenses eat approximately 40% of the income, meaning he takes home at least Ksh 450000.
Employing young people and managing the venture with his wife
The proprietor manages the project together with his wife. He says it is mutually beneficial as he is able to consult her. Additionally, the wife wakes up as early as 4 a.m to supervise various activities including milking while he mainly handles the evening schedule.
“The help is mutual, she helps in the morning while I do the same in the evening,” he says.
The 24 year old has only employed young guys, and the project provides a mentorship platform through which others have gone to set up their own ventures.
“I prefer working with young people because we want to mentor each other and grow together. If a guy sees what I am doing and see the progress, he becomes motivated. Some have left this farm and started their own,” he says.
Managing Diseases
Kelvin prevents viral diseases through vaccination. He hints that to prevent mastitis which is bacterial, he maintains high hygienic standards and ensures effective milking to prevent stasis which could lead to the disease.
His advice
Kelvin advises people who want to invest in dairy farming to first get the necessary knowledge. As it is capital intensive, he says it’s important for one to gradually scale.
“Always be gradual. Always think the future and never lose hope,” he says.