July
19, 2019
LAWYER
BANKS ON KIENYEJI CHICKEN TO GENERATE WEALTH:
Ian
Mutwiri quit his job and ventured into poultry farming which
he now says is the best decision he has ever made
“If
you are not enjoying your job, then you are in the wrong profession,”
opens Ian Mutwiri, chief executive officer at Homerange Poultry
Kenya.
Mutwiri,
who is a lawyer by profession, has never practised law. After
graduating, he secured a job in the banking sector but later
realized that he was not happy. He therefore decided to quit
in 2010. “Although the job was economically fulfilling,
I was not emotionally satisfied. I wanted to invest in something
that I like.” By then, he was just 25 years.
After
trying his hand in a few business enterprises including branding
and real estate companies, Mutwiri eventually decided to venture
into farming. He did intensive research on rabbit and pig
farming, but the issues of space, where he could buy piglets,
market as well as profitability were major challenges. Ultimately,
he settled on poultry farming where he considered rearing
layers and broilers. However, he was put off by the costs
and risks involved. Besides, he did not want to rear exotic
chicken.
Luckily,
while he was still doing his research, he came across the
just launched improved kienyeji chicken by Kenya Agricultural
Research Institute (KARI). “The product was new in the
market thus there was little information on the internet.
“I therefore decided to go to KARI offices to learn
more about the breed,” recalls Mutwiri. That same day
he ordered 200 chicks (which were to be delivered a month
later), bearing in mind that he had no space or chicken coops
where he could keep them.
“I
leased a small piece of land in Ruaka and started to construct
structures. The lease cost me Kshs. 5,000 per month,”
he explains.
Today,
Mutwiri owns Homerange Poultry Kenya that purely specializes
in the sale of KARI improved kienyeji chicken. He has over
5,000 kienyenji chicken. He says he earns a tidy sum from
the sale of the birds. His Ruaka farm has over 2,000 chicken,
while another farm in Syokimau has over 3,000.
Homerange
was established in 2013 and has continued to provide farmers
with quality chicks besides building their capacities through
training and support to enable them achieve success in their
poultry farming ventures.
Even
though the kienyeji chicken take longer to mature, Mutwiri
chose this breed since it is cheaper to feed compared with
other exotric breeds. The chicks are also resistant to diseases
unlike other breeds such as layers, broilers and the ordinary
kienyeji chicken. “I sell a one day old chick at Kshs.
120, a month old at Kshs. 300, while a mature chicken costs
Kshs. 800.” When you do your maths well, you realize
that the Kienyeji chicken is more lucrative,” he quips.
Quite
techno-savvy, Mutwiri has exploited digital platforms to learn
tips on poultry farming. In fact, he has written a comprehensive
rearing guide on kienyeji chicken farming that sells at Kshs.
850.
“The
market is there. In fact, you cannot satisfy demand for Kienyeji
chicken in Kenya. “As a matter of fact, the orders I
have for day- and month –old KARI improved kienyeji
chicken is overwhelming.” Besides, the practices applied
on this breed makes it healthier and of high quality. Currently,
people who are more health conscious have resulted to consuming
kienyeji chicken meat.
.
For
further reading please visit https://biasharaleo.co.ke/lawyer-banks-on-kienyeji-chicken-to-generate-wealth/
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