Top 10 Agribusiness Ideas In Kenya

Profitable Agribusiness Ideas in Kenya 2021

Agriculture is one of the key pillars of the economy of Kenya. It contributes about 75% of the GDP and constitutes 80% of the service industry in Kenya. More so, it is a field that does not require a lot of training and expertise for one to venture in. If professionally done, agri-business is a lucrative activity in which one can make a fortune. There are a lot of unexplored opportunities. Here is a list of some of the profitable agribusiness ideas that you can engage in.

1. Pig Farming

Pigs farming is a great opportunity when you get the right breeds. Generally, pigs reproduce and grow fast. Therefore, pig farming can earn you profits within a short period. In Kenya, pigs are mostly raised for meat. However, it is important to learn how to raise pigs specifically for meat production. Most importantly, it is advised that you get the best breeds that grow fast for you to earn a good profit in a short period.

2. Vegetable Farming

The consumption of vegetables in Kenya is undeniably high; making this one of the most lucrative businesses to venture into. In most homesteads in Kenya, vegetables are consumed daily. As time goes by, the demand for vegetables also keeps on growing. On average, urban and rural dwellers usually consume about 147 and 73kg of vegetables per capita per year. Also, those who reside in the urban areas spend about 26% of their household food budget on vegetables. Thus said, vegetable farming is a great agribusiness to consider. Some of the vegetables that you can grow and sell include tomatoes, spinach, onions, cabbages, kale (Sukuma wiki), and traditional vegetables such as manage.

Markets for vegetables are always available both in the urban and rural areas. You can sell to homesteads, institutions or sell in the open-air markets.

3. Fish Farming

Fish farming is also a great venture. The demand for fish in Kenya keeps on growing. Fish provides high-quality animal protein for human consumption. It is recommended in most diet plans. An opportunistic farmer would grab this opportunity since it is not a capital intensive venture. For you to start, you just need fish ponds and a constant supply of water. You also need to source for quality fish feeds. Some of the common and best breeds of fish include catfish, tilapia, and Nile perch.

4. Animal Feed Production

Animal feed production takes a bit of time to stabilize. However, once the business is up and running, you can reap good profits. Apart from requiring time, the venture also needs good marketing skills. Animals will always need feeds and marsh, hence this is a business venture that generates recurring profits on a good season. However, the business seemingly generates more profits when you have your raw materials.

A beef cow eats grain-based rations at a ranch in Texas, U.S. Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg

5. Fertilizer Distribution

This is an agri-business venture that is not capital intensive. Generally, the government usually distribute fertilizers to farmers across the country. Even so, you can source the fertilizers from the agencies and distribute them to farmers in remote areas. You only need to identify areas where there are high demand and low supply.

6. Mushroom Farming

This is a great venture especially when your target is the high-end consumers. Mushrooms are usually in high demand, more so organic mushrooms. You can get market in high-end restaurants and domestic households. On average, mushrooms mature in 2 months. It is also a low-capital venture that only needs around Ksh 50,000 (USD500) to kick off.

7. Dairy Farming

This business involves the rearing of cattle for the sake of milk production. It is one of the oldest agri-business ventures in Kenya. Since Kenyans always consume tea, the demand for milk is always high. As a dairy farmer, you can sell the milk directly to consumers or you can also sell through dairy processing firms. Zero-grazing is a viable practice for a dairy farmer. Even so, this venture requires a substantial budget for animal feeds.

8. Poultry Farming

This is a rather common business both in the urban and the rural areas. However, the sector is still big enough to accommodate more suppliers of poultry products. Nevertheless, for you to get good profits from this venture, it is advised that you focus on exotic and kienyeji (indigenous) poultry farming. Kienyeji eggs are commonly sold for Ksh 15 – 25 per egg. However, exotic birds produce eggs that sell for as much as Ksh 30 – 50 per egg. The same applies to the meat. Exotic birds are considered to give healthier meat as compared to other breeds.

9. Fresh Juice Production

If you live around places where there are a lot of people such as academic institutions and malls, this is a good venture that could give you profits. Fresh juice is a refreshment that most people take especially when the weather is hot. Hence, when well positioned and strategically placed, you can earn a good living from this venture. Even so, it requires good marketing skills, customer service, and a high level of hygiene. You only need a constant supply of fresh fruits and a good fresh juice processing machine. The quality of the fruits also determines how the business will perform.

10. Hass Avocado Farming

Hass avocado is a product that has over the recent past received much to focus locally and abroad. The variety is usually in very high demand in the European market. As a result, many farmers ventured into the commercial production of the product. Hass avocado takes a short time to mature, usually 3 years and has a high return when professionally farmed. In the local markets, the fruit goes for Ksh 10 – 30 per fruit. Many Kenyans love avocados and the market is big. Thus said, you can also grow the product for export to foreign markets.