@MunyaoTrader. Welcome to the Club.
I too recently ventured into small-sacle commercial dairy farming, and being a novice, this is the strategy that I have employed.
1. Bought six not very highly priced cows with a mix of milking, soon to deliver and soon to be served cows. My initial investment was approx. 500k for the initial stocks. CAVEAT. Except for commercial farms in the business of breeding and selling high producing cows, ordinary traders will lie to you on production levels. So,if you have cash, go for the commercial farmers, who are pricy but the yields are guaranteed, if you keep the right feeding rations. For me, as a novice I want to learn with mine so I risked and bought from local farmers. Get to know why a farmer is selling before you buy as some would sell the sick, hard-to-conceive etc ones.
2. feeding: I had invested over time in natural grass to provide the dry matter and recently started harvesting it. Also planted some experimental Gadam Sorgum which is fast maturing and good fodder. To get enough milk, I supplement with commercial feeds- pricey and quality not guaranteed. Plans to start making own feeds soon.
3. Management: Like any other investment, dairy farming is a highly professional business. Make sure you get an experienced professional to run the entity. Avoid watu wa mkono to run the place- they will mess you up.
4. Returns: The market for milk is there provided you get enough of it. ironically, cows literally manufacture milk depending on what you feed them with- high value feeds and concentrates- more milk and hence more cash.
For me I am still learning the business and plans to build and improve on my stock over a period- 5 yrs- and have own pedigree and better returns. Target production is 1,000litres, which is possible.
I will keep posting as I learn, in the spirit of wazua.
"Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least." Goethe