Consultancy

Agri-Plan Consult

Offers whole-farm planning, modern structure design, and agricultural project proposals. In Kenya, dairy farm consultants offer end-to-end services, from structural design and construction to herd sourcing, nutrition planning, and long-term management. Engaging a consultant is often seen as a strategic move to boost productivity and ensure compliance with dairy industry regulations.

Consultancy Services

On-Farm Site Visits: Standard advisory visits, which typically includes a site plan and a basic Bill of Quantities (BOQs).
Performance-Based Fees: Some consultants operate on a performance model, where fees are tied to measurable increases in milk production (e.g., targeting a litre daily increase).
Training Fees: Short-term specialized training (e.g., feedlot or breeding workshops) for in-person sessions.
Areas of Expertise to Look For
Structural Planning: Professional design of zero-grazing units, including precise dimensions for cubicles (

Areas of Expertise to Look For

Structural Planning: Professional design of zero-grazing units, including precise dimensions for cubicles and proper drainage slopes.
Herd Management: Sourcing high-breed heifers (typically priced between Ksh 150,000 – 270,000) and implementing breeding roadmaps.
Nutritional Planning: Developing tailored feeding plans and silage production strategies to prevent the common deficit of traditional feeding methods.

Starting a new dairy farm in Kenya is a capital-intensive project that requires a strategic sequence: prepare the land and feed first, build the housing second, and buy the cows last. Skipping this order often leads to high operational losses if you have hungry cows without ready fodder.
Land & Feed Preparation: Secure at least 1 acre per 1–2 cows. Plant fodder (Napier grass, Boma Rhodes, or Lucerne) at least 4–6 months before bringing in animals to ensure you have a “feed bank”.
Infrastructure Construction: Build a zero-grazing unit with proper drainage (3–4% slope) and ventilation. Costs for a basic structure start at roughly Ksh 40,000 per cow space.
Breed Selection & Sourcing: Buy healthy, locally-adapted high-yield breeds like Friesian (high volume) or Ayrshire (hardy).