I am Samuel Gatimu Murage, 29, from central Kenya. I love agriculture and am already making a transformation in this sector. Having been brought up heart of Kenya agriculture, agriculture is my daily routine.
People from Kenya know very well, the central area is the centre of agriculture, i.e. coffee, tea, maize, rice, and horticulture. Having done mechanical engineering, I felt it was not enough and I deviated to agriculture (dairy farming), having seen opportunity in this sector as a young man.
Currently I am a YPAD mentee, former stryde (techno serve) trainee and mentee, Procasur showcasing participant, and a winner of stryde business plan competition.
Agriculture is my life, passion, and duty as well. As a youth, I don’t shy from agriculture, since I take it as like any another job: full of opportunities. I believe improving the value chain is the way to go for agriculture and it comes along with innovation.
The project is to encourage young farmers to add value by using the remains from rice, maize and wheat harvest, to bring more value, i.e. rice straw, maize stover wheat straw, lower rice bran, and low-quality hay to enhance livestock production.
By processing the remains to bran then mixing with rice bran molasses, salt, minerals, and lime we come up with a block that is more nutritious and palatable to animals, and an economic feed.
The mix of low-quality materials is converted to become a very useful way to supplement the livestock during a dry spell at a cheaper price. The use of NPN agent (urea) magnifies the crude protein (CP), tripling the original fodder CP. For example, if the original CP of the material to be used was 6% the result will be 18% CP.
Not only will it change CP level but allow better utilization of the high fibre present in this material. These materials are not only of low quality but also bulky to store. But in block form they are easy to transport and the space available is utilized better in terms of storage.
This project is meant to create jobs for both old and young farmers, who are my centre of interest, to turn low-quality fodder or waste into blocks. The blocks attract more profit and value. These blocks are highly acceptable by the dairy farms, and beef and sheep farmers at my place
Youth from arid and semi-arid areas find it hard to venture into animal agribusiness projects due to high loss of animal during dry spells. This is a wake-up call for the youth from this zone to venture in to this business without fear.
Not only do youths from this area shy away from agriculture as the only source of income but also face unemployment. They become desperate and migrate to urban centres, leading to idleness, prostitution, early pregnancies, HIV infection, crimes, and slum growth. This will help in empowering youth to become self-reliant.
As a small-scale dairy farmer, I am aware that if the production costs goes high the profit margin will be affected or incur losses affecting the business. The NPN block is meant to lower production costs, thus helping farmer sin the following ways:
- Higher profits
- Reduced waste from fodder offered to the animal
- Quality production of meat and milk at low cost, regardless of the climate
- Improved expected meat production, i.e. one calf per year, due to good body condition
- Promote food security for the nation and pastoralist communities
- Reduce the post-harvest waste of the straws and stoves
- Promote animal husbandly growth
- Better utilization of the fodder eaten by the animal
The success of this project will involve:
- Forming of youth group and registering them as Africa NPN block expert
- Construction of a simple warehouse made of timber and iron sheet
- Supporting the youth to purchase necessary machines to process this blocks that meet the standard
- Packing and storing this block properly awaiting sales
- Training the youth in market strategy. I believe this will attract more interest to youth in agribusiness.
Project budget
I intend to spend the USD 5,000 grant as follows:
- USD 200 to organize and register three youth group, that is about 40 youths (Ten-member cells) groups in Mwea Central Kenya
- USD 600 to train the youth in the processing and making the block, financial aspects, and supply management; also training farmers in the merits of NPN blocks
- USD 800 on the purchase and processing of raw materials to be used
- USD 1,000 to buy the machinary and equipment needed
- USD 2,000 to construct storage facilities made of wood, iron sheet, and poles
- USD 300 purchase of packing materials
- USD 100 registration of the product
Future growth
My project is to expand, to other youth groups, from the impact felt and observed in the first phase. I expect to secure more market share in the Middle East, thus expanding the production capacity, attracting more income, and creating more jobs. This will see more youth in agribusiness in the future, ending the problems faced by the youths.
I believe agriculture is for the youth!
Blogpost and picture submitted by Sanuel Gatimu Murage, (Kenya): lesahfarm10[at]gmail.com
The content, structure and grammar are at the discretion of the author only.
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Hey Samuel, keep up the good work. Just a quick one, how do you manage your transportation needs?
Thanks.
Thanx musalika.. Nice quiz bro, the major transport need is to transport ready blocks to the clients but the raw materials will be processedat the farm. This will help to cut the cost… Before the pick of we will hv to hire this transport services.. If possible transport service managed or owned by a fellow Youth.
This is impressive….
Well said brother.The project will see farmers ( both young and old) through the dry and rainy season altogether. Many a times most farmers are desperate during the dry season where animal feeds go scarce in supply translating to high cost of dairy farming forcing them to get rid of their animals. This project will also substitute silage for the farmers where an alternative has been established.
KUDOS SAMUEL!
Thanx Elisha… We really want to solve problems for the youth
Sir mirittie we hv to find our own solutions to our problems.. Ma happiness is to see ma fellow farmers happy n make a living
Keep up for your good work Samuel…may you continue creating awareness and making rural areas a place to be…keep the fire burning your going far..
Sir mirittie we hv to find our own solutions to our problems.. Ma happiness is to see ma fellow farmers happy n make a living
Kkk thenkx its impressive
This is very educative Samuel. it will be very helpful to the youths who want to venture in agriculture but don’t have information on how to start or how to do..keep it up.good work. Sure,agriculture is for the youth.
Thanx leahann ..kip the fire burning
Very innovative agripreneur!!
This is a viable mind.. Am happy youth hv brilliant mind in solving there problems
I like your feed project Samuel. Many young people have missed out on feed production. Looking forward to working with you in this.
Emmanuel thanx a lot.. Am glad n positive to work with everyone in changing youth live through agriculture.
Good Work bro,being an accountant i believe its my time to leave this routine job and join you.
Hahahaha! Hope ur crias here, Mwongela.. Welcome to farm side.. We also need sums in the farm too.. Agriculture is about transforming life n being realistic.
This is really creative n can help the youths a lot. Thumps up!!!!!
Waoh! Gud wrk bro i lyk it.congrats
Charity n lilly… Wellkam aboard n kip it real in the farm
Nice project. Very viable
You are doing a great job Samuel. It’s impressive to many youths . Keep up and move on many people are willing to work with you . Congratulations
Thanx Abbie… An glad..it tymes we youth find solutions to our broblems
You are doing a great job Samuel. It’s impressive to many youths . Keep up and move on many people are willing to work with you . Congratulations
You are empowering so many youths
Looks like an Interesting proposal… go for it
Cogratulations Samuel having seen you working on it i realy support the idea which already an on going business.keep it up.
Thanx Abbie… An glad..it tymes we youth find solutions to our broblems
Thump up bro, I understand exactly what is all about this project, your plans to transform agriculture sector will automatically succeed. Ave noted your efforts right from the beginning and even your struggle to a good website to market your 5star ranking project. Sam I promise you, that you will make it, count me your marketing partner..***** advice me on how to keep pigs.
Max Wa togonye am greatidul to hv worked with you in daring n tough projects before n finally u see the viability on this one. Wen it comes to pig farming u hv to go for the right breed, feeds and there source and the most important is the health of your pig and ur market too
I started loving agriculture bcoz of you Sam, how do I know the right breed n perhaps u can also help me to find market..am very serious about this
hey keep da fire burning samuel n that a good project ……big up
Thanx Lawrence.. We hv to be in fore front dinging solution to ur problems n feeding the world too.. I will hook up with you… Drop me your whatsup no.pls
ideal project.your objectives sounds measurable and achievable. its outputs,outcomes and impact to the community are ok. Nduati peter Agricounty development kenya.
Thanx peter..I would lv to work with u in the future to see how we can make transform lives through agriculture…
Well done..
Thanx moses.. Well come to agriculture we youth put mind in practice n use
You have done this proud bit and yet more is expected.
I want to have this like now.
Thanx jecinta.. We must not cry always but see a way out out of this cry as young pple..
Hi Sam. l like the drive and the whole package. u need to define the uniqueness and originality of the formula for patent if not yet done. You may organise we meet am doing something close on mushrooms.
Thanx kasina..the formula is drawn from nitrogen present in urea which is converted to ammonia gas that penetrate through the plant fibres breaking the bond to make it more easy to digest n utilized by the animal… That presence of nitrogen in the rumen for urea active the living thing in the rumen to affect crude protein in a positive way..
The unique part is that this whole process will cut down the fodder use, reduce wastage, lower production cost n surport production even during drought
Kasina drop me ur whatsup no.we see who we can work together or get me through +254726202501
Am impressed, keep up the good work.I love the idea
Thanx Winnie… I’ll try ma best to c the better of these project
Guys..it is a shame for us to no manage our waste in usefulness.. As youth we should find a way to save our waste in to eseful product. By doing this we not only create jobs but save our world from the dangers brought about by this waste.. We feed the nations and people around us.. Taking this project is one way to show how useful it is to add value to the waste we get after the harvest… Those in the farm can bare me witness wen drought come its hell for there animals
Kudos sam for ur gd wak..continue creating awareness to the youths..definetly ur going far..kip da faya burning
Thanx asuh I will but it possible if we young pple stay positive towards agriculture… It a wake up call for thing guys to own farming in there hearts.
hey Sam agriculture will always be in you from top to bottom. I like the proposal especially to our young youth in Mwea constituency.I admire your hardworking all the best Sam..will the proposal benefit all youths generally?
hey Sam agriculture will always be in you from top to bottom. I like the proposal .I admire your hardworking.will the proposal benefit all youths generally?
Caro.. Not everyone is to benefit.. Only the crias once in agriculture.. As u can see this is Agribiz… Thanx for ur comment dia
Good work
Caro.. Not everyone is to benefit.. Only the crias once in agriculture.. As u can see this is Agribiz… Thanx for ur comment dia
Great mind keep it up SAM.
Thanx deno.. Ur wellcome to surport the idea.
This is a great great project which can be implememted in most parts of Africa or the world to create jobs and also enhance the feeding of livestock.
Leonard this is the point… Africa lose a lot of Livestock wen dry spell comes..that lead to poverty, hunger,conflict between pastro community, poor education, unstable economy for these community.. It tymes Africa realise to take care of its pple.
its cool ..nice wan go for it sam
Atnusa..thanx am heading for it.
Good work bro, a gd mentor en a new face for youths.keep up!!
Sicy thanx for the encouragement… But I need more of this… But blv this is the right solution to our farm waste after harvest
what a brilliant idea mr. samuel! how things run out there for youths is undoubtedly affirmative that u are exactly bringing this quoted agenda into action . by so doing u will have an impact felt even beyond our territorial borders. all u need is our support, of which u already r assured . juz lyk many have said……kudos! keep the fire in flames.
Thanx Mr macharia.. I bil in this project even if I want pass this competition.. This is a real project and idea to save us youth from the problem we face.. It not all about the money here buy sustainable Africa, youth and better lives.
Its a good initiative bro. My question would be, how do you plan to market your produce?
Than for the quiz Mr bonny.. Our market strategy is to hold farmers seminars to promote our product. Plan to hv an app to help in the market. Work with the livestock office to promote market as well
That’s impressive bro, keep up the good work cz you are actually inspiring others through this course. Keep the fire burning.
Thanx Mr Ngalawa.. For +ve mind towards the proposal
sam em really impressed by ur idea..wsh yu al the best n count mi in..we r together in this..uve made mi lv agribiz..em ryt behind u
Thanx Talia…am trying to solve a problem for us youth b promote livestock keeping
its really encouraging..wat a nice idea.continue inspiring the youths wit thiz kind of ideas ur going far sam..let’s transform awa lyfs via agriculture..kip up n continue wt da same spirit sam..all the best
Thanx dem… Am more glad to hear u surport this idea