In the outskirts of Nakuru town, nestled in Lanet, lies Susan Chege’s Hilltop Agribusiness Enterprise, a testament to the Kenyan entrepreneurial spirit. What started as a mere hobby for the former high school teacher has blossomed into a thriving venture, boasting an impressive array of 10,000 layers and 30 dairy cattle.
Here is the inspiring farming journey of Susan Chege as told by WoK.
From Teacher to Farming as a Hobby
Susan, a former high school teacher, started farming as a hobby before turning it into a full-time business.
She initially began with two cows and around 10 chickens to provide milk and eggs for her family during the holidays. However, as demand for her products grew, she decided to invest further in her farming venture.
From Hobby to Agricultural Entrepreneur
Over twelve years ago, the entrepreneur embarked on her farming journey with just two cows and a handful of chickens. Initially, her motive was to keep herself busy during the holidays while providing milk and eggs for her family.
However, as demand from neighbours for her products grew, Susan recognized the potential and transformed her passion into a business. With unwavering determination, she resigned from her teaching job and invested Ksh 100,000 into her budding enterprise.
“I started with two cows and about 10 chickens to keep me busy during the long holidays and provide milk and eggs for the family. A few months later, neighbours started placing orders for both milk and eggs and that was when I decided to make it my full time business,” She told the Daily Nation in a past interview.
Susan bought 1,200 chicks and her journey to the world of business was officially born. She enlisted the help of Paul Kamau, a veterinary doctor, who guided her and visiting farmers on best practices.
Inside Susan’s Farming Empire
The businesswoman poultry farm is nothing short of remarkable. The well-ventilated rectangular houses provide ample space for each of the 10,000 layers, ensuring their comfort and productivity.
The houses are strategically positioned away from the sun to minimize any disturbances during the birds’ egg-laying process.
Susan pays meticulous attention to detail, incorporating troughs for continuous clean water supply and compartments with black paper to safeguard the privacy of the birds during laying. Feeding mature birds 140g of feed per day, Susan ensures optimal nutrition for her flock.
The Poultry Marvel
For every 50 birds, one feeder and drinker are provided. The layers’ house has troughs covered with wood, ensuring a continuous supply of clean water while protecting it from contamination.
Compartments with black paper along the walls provide privacy for the birds during laying and keep the eggs safe. Susan advises feeding mature birds 140g of feed per day.
The farm produces a minimum of 200 trays of eggs daily, which are sold to supermarkets at Ksh300 per tray as of 2020. Susan also sells four eggs with broken shells at Ksh20 to individuals, minimizing any potential loss.
Vaccination plays a crucial role in disease prevention, particularly for the young chicks. Susan emphasizes the importance of vaccination to protect the birds from diseases that can wipe out an entire flock in a short time.
A Dairy Dynasty
At Susan’s farm, dairy farming is a sight to behold. Cubicles designed for socialization house her Ayrshire, and Friesian cattle, creating an environment conducive to reduced stress and increased milk flow. The feed store, ingeniously situated above the cowsheds, maximizes space utilization.
Dairy Feeding Habits on The Farm
Susan feeds her cows barley straw and Boma Rhodes grass, soaked in water and molasses for enhanced milk production. With each of her 12 milk cows yielding a minimum of 20 liters per day, Susan has established a steady market for her dairy products.
Dairy Breeds and Milk Production
In the cowsheds, the animals are kept in cubicles that face each other, promoting socialization and reducing stress, which in turn increases milk flow. The feed store, located above the cowsheds, is made of translucent iron sheets to maximize space utilization.
The cows are fed barley straw and Boma Rhodes grass, which Susan purchases in bulk during the rainy season.
Before feeding, the grass is soaked in water and molasses to increase milk production. Each of her 12 milking cows produces a minimum of 20 liters of milk per day, sold at Ksh50 per liter. Additionally, there are three bulls and 15 heifers on the farm.
On Employing Locals on Her Farm
Susan employs 10 workers who assist with selling her produce and taking care of the animals. Her advice to beginners is to be persistent and work closely with professionals and other farmers to achieve success in the agricultural industry.
Challenges and Triumphs in Her Farming Journey
Like any agricultural venture, Susan Chege’s journey hasn’t been without obstacles. She faced the devastating loss of 660 chicks to Newcastle disease, a harsh reminder of the delicate nature of poultry farming. Water rationing has also posed challenges, affecting both milk and egg production.
However, Susan’s resilience and commitment to proper hygiene and routine vaccination have helped her overcome these setbacks and maintain a thriving enterprise.
Advice for Aspiring Farmers
Susan Chege’s success has not only come from her hard work but also from her willingness to seek guidance from professionals and collaborate with fellow farmers. Her advice to beginners is to persist, learn from experts, and embrace the support of the farming community.
With her flourishing poultry and dairy operations, Susan Chege has carved a lasting legacy in the Kenyan agricultural landscape.
