4 Farming Ventures That Could Drain Your Wallet-Must Know
Kelvin Wairimu 
Kenyan farmers often seek easy and seamless business opportunities that promise high profits. Unfortunately, farming does not always provide such guarantees. Making losses can happen in an instant, and when profits do occur, the margins are typically minimal.
These challenges have driven farmers towards brokers and entrepreneurs who focus on a small segment of the production chain, ultimately placing the entire burden on the farmers. Crop farmers are increasingly turning to selling seedlings, while livestock farmers are exploring ventures into animal feed production, chick hatching, and creating animal mineral salts.
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However, engaging in the business of raising seedlings, producing animal feeds, hatching chicks, and making mineral salts can lead to severe financial strain if not managed with a sound strategy. The lack of regulations in these sectors exposes farmers to poor-quality products that often do not meet required standards.
One significant risk in raising seedlings is the potential lack of market for them. It is not guaranteed that customers will always buy your seedlings, which may lead to over-maturity. Established seedling growers typically operate larger farms where they can plant excess seedlings in case the market is slow.
The situation is similar for chick hatching; many are discouraged by the challenges of poultry farming. High feed costs and mortality rates have frustrated many farmers. Experienced individuals have opted to focus on brooding chicks instead.
However, this shift comes with its own challenges, such as sourcing fertile eggs and having sufficient space to raise excess chicks that might not find a market. Additionally, high electricity costs and unreliable power supply have negatively impacted hatch success rates.
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The animal feed business has grown, yet the quality of the feed often falls short. Many products do not effectively enhance yields; for example, dairy meal does not increase milk production, layer feeds do not improve egg-laying rates, and pig feeds do not promote weight gain.
Most animal feed formulators have struggled and closed down due to low sales and a lack of guaranteed quality raw materials. To survive, it is essential to adopt a strategic marketing plan that not only focuses on selling feeds but also involves training farmers on solutions to their dairy farming challenges, which builds awareness, trust, and loyalty.
Dairy farmers are in search of high-quality mineral salts that can boost milk production and heat detection. However, this demand has led some producers to create cheap yet low-quality mineral salts.
Many of these products fail to meet Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) quality requirements. There have been reports of river sand mixed with red oxide being sold as mineral salts, which has detrimental effects on animal health.
In conclusion, what makes these business ventures risky? An oversupply of similar products and ongoing frustrations can reduce demand and erode trust in new products. This reality calls for increased investment in marketing strategies while maintaining affordable average prices.
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