The ever shrinking opportunities in the job market has compelled graduates to begin embracing alternative sources of generating income.
A case in point is that of Roselyne Khabayi, who completed her undergraduate studies a decade ago and after job-searching for some years, she settled for dairy farming.
The 35-year-old from Luanda area in Luanda sub county in Vihiga county, is a Chuka university- trained psychologist.
Khabayi says after graduation she moved to Kenya’s capital Nairobi in search of employment but could not secure one.
“I went from office to office dropping my CurriculumVitae (CV) hoping to get a response with good news but I only received regrets,” she stated.
The psychologist also tried a hand at consultancy but she could not succeed because she did not have the requisite experience that would attract deals.
It was after going through the tough experience that in the year 2019, she returned to her rural home in Luanda area of Luanda sub county in Vihiga County to explore other options of earning a living.
“I approached Equity bank for credit and fortunately they agreed to lend to me Sh. 200, 000 with a grace period of six months,” she narrated.
She stated that she bought two in-calf Friesian cows which calved down within three months.
The dairy farmer states that with increased work of managing the stock, she had to employ a farm hand.
Khabayi disclosed that the cows averagely produce 60 litres of milk in a day which sells at retail price of Sh.60 per litre.
“The proceeds from the milk sales, approximately Sh. 36, 000 per month, enables her to service the bank loan, buy animal feeds as well as pay the worker which leaves her with a profit of about Sh. 20,000.
To cut down on the cost of feeds, she has planted an acre of boma rhodes from which she prepares hay for feeding the animals.
She has maintained a stock of two for easy management as she sells the calves at the age of one year which widens the profit margin.
The county suffers a milk deficit and relies on the supply from the neighbouring Nandi County to bridge the shortfall, so Khabayi has enough market for all her milk.
By Braylyne Munai
