This archive report was first published on 5 October 2019.
Wesley Bett's dairy farm in Mengwet village, Bomet County, is a testament to the power of innovation in agriculture. Since starting the farm in 2015, Bett has seen significant growth, thanks in part to the adoption of artificial insemination (AI) technology.
Initially, Bett started with two indigenous cows that produced a total of nine litres of milk a day. However, he later sold these animals and invested in a cross-breed cow for Sh50,000, which produced 10 litres of milk daily. This was followed by the purchase of a pure Friesian cow for Sh100,000, which produced 15 litres of milk daily.
With the help of a livestock expert, Bett developed a herd expansion plan, which included approaching Co-op Bank for a Sh1 million loan to purchase eight cows in December 2007. Today, the five cows produce 100 litres of milk daily, which Bett sells to the Olbutyo Dairy Cooperative Society at Sh35 per litre.
Bett has fully adopted AI, taking advantage of the subsidised AI service launched by the Bomet government. He grows Boma Rhodes grass on an acre and has leased 10 acres for maize and other fodder for making silage. At any given time, he has silage that can last six months, which he feeds to his dairy animals at 6am, 10am, 3pm, and 7pm.
With a dream to start a commercial dairy feeds enterprise, Bett has already bought a feed mixer and sells his sunflower seeds to an oil processor, using the cake to make animal feeds at home. He employs four people, with three attached to the dairy unit and the other dealing with poultry.
As a precaution against diseases and pests, Bett works with vets and agronomists, having started engaging experts two years ago when he almost lost an animal to foot-and-mouth disease. He advises farmers to follow vaccination programmes and maintain high levels of hygiene in their dairy units.
Robert Langat, a veterinarian, notes that there is an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the area every year, emphasizing the importance of proper drainage and regular cleaning of dairy units.
