This archive report was first published on 4 September 2019.
George Ngugi Karungo, a Kenyan dairy farmer, has achieved remarkable success in the industry, producing 4,300 litres of milk per day from his farm, Elite Dairies Limited.
After quitting teaching six years ago, Karungo started rearing cows as a hobby, which eventually grew into a dairy empire. He began with 40 cows seven years ago and has since expanded his venture to a dairy farm with 830 dairy cows.
The farm, located along the Ruiru-Githunguri road, also boasts a stock of 730 goats and sheep, as well as ornamental birds, including pigeons, ducks, and turkeys. Karungo aspires to grow his farm to offer employment opportunities to youth in the area, currently employing 70 workers.
“Cows are so therapeutic. Rearing cows is not like any other business. When I spend time with the cows, I go home a happy man,” Karungo said.
He has reared several breeds of cows, including Friesian, Ayshire, Guernsey, and Fleckvieh, and purchases feeds from parts of the Rift Valley and Kirinyaga. Karungo ensures that his cows are fed twice a day, with proper portions, and observes high hygiene standards to avoid disease risks.
The farm's stock has been producing 4,300 litres of milk per day, with some cows producing up to 54 litres a day. Karungo expects milk production to increase to 6,000 litres a day once some of the 230 in-calves deliver.
He sells his milk to Naivas Supermarkets in bulk and local markets, and has opened eleven milk ATMs in Embakasi. Karungo has also embarked on value addition of his farm products, including the production of pasteurized milk, cow yoghurt, and goat yoghurt.
Published on September 4, 2019, at 12:49:23 PM.
