Heifer Project International Kenya June 2009

J:':."'-"?. IJlHEIFER Project International KENYA

MUNDIKA

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Heifer Project International Kenya

FARM PROGRESS REPORT AND PROPOSED SeALING UP PLAN

Prepared By

Heifer Project International

Kenya

©June 2009

Nilama~ace, Ka~arnetRoa~P]' Box7G478· 00508~iro~i

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Table of content

1. Mundika Farm Development Project

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(i) Background..................................................................................................... 3 (ii) Progress to May 2009................................................................................. 4 (iv) Challenges

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(v) Plans for the next period

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2. Scaling up: The next steps

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(i) Background

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(ii) Enhancing production

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(iii) Value addition to farm products

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3. Marketing

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BACKGROUND Mundika farm is owned by the Convent of Catholic Church in Busia district of Kenya. The Convent is the centre of spiritual growth and compassion. It was established in 1990 to help reduce suffering among the old destitute people by offering them with a home, food, dothing. medical support and spiritual comfort. Following social problems, diseases, broken marriages and lack of support from relatives, a number of the destitute people in the Mukinda Parish had risen greatly, which prompted the Parish Priest, Bishop and Sisters to establish the centre. The number of dependant old people in the centre had risen to 97 in 2006. The centre was sourcing for financial support from other people and organizations to enable it take care of these old people. In addition to sourcing for financial support from outside, the convent developed small businesses in the centre to raise money. Some of the businesses included bakery, farming and operating a small guesthouse with paying guests. In view ofthe rising numbers of destitute old people and lack of sufficient funds to meet the needs of these people, the Convent decided to commercialize agricultural production in their farm. The farm enterprises would raise food and income which could be used in feeding and meeting other needs of the old people in the centre. The Sisters running the Convent and the farm decided to start dairy, pig, poultry and horticulture

farming on a commercial scale. They sought for funds to invest in these

enterprises and technical support to start up the enterprises. The Sisters approached Van Stokhom of The Netherlands for financial support for these enterprises. Van Stokhom suggested to the Sisters to request Heifer International

to support them technically in

establishment of the farm enterprises. Heifer International

support was on farm

planning, training on general farm management principles, animal husbandry, organic agriculture and marketing. The Sisters nominated one of them to take two years training in farm management at Baraka Farmers Training College, run by Catholic Church in Molo district. Heifer International

supported the Sisters in establishment

of fodder for dairy cattle, sheds for dairy,

pigs and poultry, paddocked the farm and introduced vegetables and fruits. The farm received 5 dairy cows from Baraton University and 6 sows and 2 boars from Nairobi and vegetable and fruit seeds and seedlings. The farm has been operating since 2007 and below is the progress report.

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MUNDIKA FARM DEVELOPMENT PROJECT - GRACE COMPASSION UPDATE JANUARY - MAY 2009 ENTERPRISE ACTIVITY Dairy No. of cows No of heifers

COMMENT AII the original cows were weil and healthy

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These are heifer offspring from the original cows.

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They are almast ready for service to increase the farms milking herd

No. of bull calves

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This one will be sold for breeding to needy farmers.

Passing on the gift

5 heifers were passed on to 5 members of the Kolping community

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This was done on 29/5/09 at the Mundika farm It was presided over by the HPI country director and the ceremony was attended bya over 189 people

Milk production

Piggery

PROGRESS 5 3

Total number of pigs on the farm

3 cows were lactating throught the periad. A fourth one dried in March 2009 and is due to calve in July 2009. One was dry throught, currently it is under treatment. 54 at the end of may 2009.

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Sales of pigs

Bananas

Expansion of the plot

Sales from bananas

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Sold 33 pigs to Farmer's Choice earning Ksh. 253,000 64 more banana stools were planted bringing the total number of stools to 164. And over 364 banana trees on the farm 30 bunches and 100 suckers were sold during this period

Total milk production was 5222 litres Sisters consumed 1590.5 litres Old people consumed 750 litres Calves consumed 546 litres Tata I milk sold = 2335.5 Litres Total revenue from sales = KSH. 209,074

AII the six furrowed during this period Ofthese 17 are ready for sale to Farmer's Choice. This are projected to bring in ksh. 180,000 30 are piglets 6 sows 1 baar

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The Farmers Choice market was not very reliable. Each pig was sold by weight.

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The trees are projected to produce 400 suckers and 400 bunches for sale each quarter

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The bunches brought in a revenue of ksh. 6,000 while the suckers were sold for ksh. 100,000 the income was used to purchase 100 plastic chairs 4

production and consumption of rabbit meat. Training

Farmer exchange visits

14 people from the centre and the PDG farmers visited Siaya and Kisii

Groups touring the Mundika farm

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This tour was a great exposure especially to the PDG families who are expected to take good care of the heifers they were provided.

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During the PDG ceremony on 29/5/09 the occasion was used to train other farmers by touring the farm and explaining what is done. Over 179 farmers attended the PDG The farm also hosted 12 groups of farmers from both HPI groups and other neighboring Districts for learning purposes.

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Challenges during the period Uanuary - May 2009) 1.

There was a very long unanticipated dry spell between January and March - This reduced the forage availability to the cows hence lower milk production.

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The main pigs market, Farmers Choice were not reliable in collecting the pigs on time, th is resulted in more expenditure on pig feed. There are 17 more pigs to be collected during the month of June. They should have been collected in May. PLANS FOR THE NEXT PERIOD 1.

Explore possibilities of setting up a pig butchery in Busia

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Install a biogas plant from the proceeds ofthe pigs

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Enhance on farm feed formulation

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Harvest the maize and store

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Enhance the organic farming farms by planting more vegetables, and crops organically

for the cows and pigs

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MUNDIKA FARM DEVElOPMENT

PROJECT - THE NEXT STEPS

Background Heifer International started work with Grace Compassion centre Mundika in the year 2006. The centre has 26 old people resident and an outreach of 140 others. Helpage Kenya, a charity assists the old people by providing Ksh. 2000 per old person per three months. This money was inadequate and could hardly last one month with the needs of the old people, the sisters and the centre in general. When HPI partnered with the farm, 1 sister was trained in Baraka College for one year on farm management. The farm workers and sisters received constant trainings from HPI staff and the farm was planned. It was facilitated to start organic farming, fruits production,

proper dairy cattle farming and pig

production. The centre received 5 high grade cows in May 2007 and the herd now is 9 pure grade animals worth over Ksh. 1,000,000. They also procured 6 gilts and two boars to stock the piggery in March 2008, to date they have sold pigs for over Ksh. 350,000 and the piggery is valued over Kshs.600,000 in animals and assets. Farm crops including maize, beans, bananas, passion fruits, water melons, pineapples, various types of vegetables are thriving and bringing in revenue The farm has been successful and is used for various activities apart from production. The centre is now utilized to train farmers in dairy and organic farming through exchange visits. Groups of farmers visit the centre and get knowledge from the sisters.

Ce/ebration during POG

A member of Ka/ping receives a heifer from sister

The activities on the centre need sealing up and expansion into marketing to ensure sustainability and increased benefits.

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The next stage will include 1. 2.

Expanding production Developing value addition and Marketing structures.

1. i)

Enhancing production Expansion ofthe dairy enterprise Put in place feeding strategy that will reduce reliance on napier grass and stress more on feed rationing and conservation Maize bran is easily accessible from Busia or cheaply across in Uganda. Centre to procure a hammer mill crushing crop residues Crop residues especially maize Stover can be collected after harvest from the farm and from neighbours, silage to be made from the Napier planted on the farm Increase the herd from the current 5 to 10, this should guarantee an ave rage of 150 litres of milk from the farm daily ii) Expansion of organic farming enterprise Enhance production of all the crops on the farm to conform to organic practices Expand the greenhouse and introduce more high value crops i.e. continue tomatoes production and introduce cucumber Introduce rare but high value crops ta rgeting the non- traditional markets especially Kisumu Increase the areas under local vegetables to serve the old people, the sisters on the centre and the local community. iii) Enhancing the local poultry production Put up a bigger unit for local poultry to be able to produce at least 100 birds per month Have a rearing unit that will enable birds to be reared in batches and ensure continuous production Enhance breeding, disease control and feeding regimes. Feeding and disease control to conform to organic practices. Hatching to initially be done using broody hens with carefully selected cocks. Latter the centre to procure an incubator for production of dav old chicks for the centre and for sale. iv) Piggery Ration formulation and compounding on the farm rather than purchasing

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Value addition to farm produets Target • Milk - Yoghurt and mala(fermented) • Vegetables - Solar drying • Fruits - solar drying and juices

Packaging and branding using simple machines.

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3. Marketing

The Mundika farm is strategically situated 8 km from Busia town on Busia - Kisumu highway. The centre has a piece of land touching on the highway hence have an opportunity

to set up a marketing

structure that will be visible to all road users and make advertising and marketing easy. The farm being managed by the Church and sisters will build on the reputation of sisters to market organic products There are 8 farmer groups within a radius of 15 km that were earlier supported by Heifer with dairy cows. These groups are performing weil in milk production and could benefit from a milk collection and value addition venture with Mundika farm. There are also farmers within the Busia municipality that can join in the venture to deliver milk and market together. HPI is also in the process of supporting more families around the area - through the Send A Cow project, with more livestock. This should increase the number of families producing milk and organic products. Marketing •

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ideas and support

HPI to support a simple but though studyjsurvey on the viability of the marketing venture at the farm. The facts and figures currently available need to be authenticated through a study and clear recommendations. The farm to set up a buildingjcentre on their plot next to the tarmac. The building will be used as an outlet for products from the farm and those soureed from neighbors. The centre to have multi-activities (resting area for people to take fresh milk and their products or a restaurant, stalls/shelves for organic farm produce, an office etc.)

Pig and pork marketing

The centre depends on the market from farmer's choice; however they have been unreliable and have caused the farm to incur a lot of expenses in feeding. To mitigate this challenge the marketing centre should have butchery with another outlet in Busia. The butchery should be able to dispose of one pig per dav or 30 pigs per month. The pork Pigs on the farm

can also be packaged and sold under the Mundika brand name once the market is established.

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Organic produets and fruits

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The centre to apply to be certified as an organic producer Organic produce to be sou reed from the farm and selected farmers who comply with organic farming requirements Produce to be parked in branded packages Fruits (bananas and pineapples) to be solar died and packed with brand name, others to make fresh juices and sold at the centre. Surplus vegetables to be dried and packed Banana marketing to be twofold They be ripened using simple ripening chambers(easily fabricated) and sold whole or as juice Sucker to be sold to other farmers

Pineapple and simsim field

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Loeal poultrv

Local poultry is a delicacy in the region and has ready market. It is a simple enterprise to undertake but with high returns. They however need good care. • • •

Build unit to raise 1000 local poultry in batches Get local orders and market as reliable source Target to sell • Day old chicks • Pullets and cockerels 10

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Dressed chicken(Packaged as whole or parts)

Milk • • • •

Milk collection from the Mundika farm and neighbouring community On farm milk processing into yoghurt and Mala Use of simple milk equipment for value addition and processing - batch pasteurizer, cooler, sealing machines Packaging and branding milk and milk products.

4. Training Centre •

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The farm should upscale the training activities. Currently they receive very many groups of farmers on learning missions. This activity can be structured. HPI would support in putting out a simple farmer training curriculum covering 2 to 3 days with practicaion the farm demonstrations. Visiting farmers will pay for this training. This will be another souree of income to the centre. This should not call for recruiting extra personnel since it is an on going practica I ideas exchange for farmers. The farmers or groups of people who get training from the farm will pay for it and proceeds ploughed back. HPI and collaborators especially the Livestock department will also ensure that the farm is testingjimplementing new ideas on improved crop and livestock production by sourcing for information.

A/ex Kirui, HP/IK Country Program Director

A/ex Kirui, HP/IK Country Program

tours organic gardens

Director p/ants a tree in the farm during PDG ceremony

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