DairyPost Africa Magazine_ May. 2014 | Page 33

DairyPost Africa • May 2014 She explained: “Demand for milk in Ngong is very high. I sell the fresh milk and yoghurt, which I make at home, to my neighbours. A litre of milk will goes for Sh60 and that of yoghurt is double that.” Her zero grazing dairy business is proof that indeed space is not an issue for anyone looking to get into dairy farming. “The area that is holding the cows is slightly under 40x80. The remaining three quarter acre that I have planted napier grass can actually hold another 72 cows and I intend to expand to that point,” she revealed. A Human Resource Manager by profession, Grace said her professional skills have come in handy to keep her business a float. She explained: “I have learnt that one can do business even when they are away. The trick is to motivate your employees. I have two employees who look after things when I am away. They work with targets and keep records of income and expenditure. The cows make enough money to feed themselves, pay the workers and expand the business. I only spent my salary for the first six months but now the business is stable.” She said her employees understand that if they meet their targets they will receive bonuses. The opposite also applies; if one does not meet set targets then the salary and benefits reduce. Grace is however not keeping knowledge about the business to herself. She has mentored her workers to get into the business. She revealed most people she has worked with are young and fresh from university. 33 The area that is holding the cows is slightly under 40x80. The remaining three quarter acre that I have planted napier grass can actually hold another 72 cows and I intend to expand to that point