By Dorothy Makayoto
In the heart of Western Kenya, a group of young agripreneurs is transforming the landscape of livestock farming. The Ingo Agrichamps Youth Association, formed in December 2022 and mobilized by Leaf CBO, has rapidly become a beacon of sustainable fodder production, empowering youth and revitalizing dairy farming in Kakamega County. Before Ingo Agrichamps stepped in, livestock farmers in Kakamega faced significant hurdles. They struggled with inadequate access to high-quality hay, which directly led to low milk production. Dairy cooperatives also struggled with an unreliable hay supply and difficulty in making bulk purchases.
The Journey: From Vision to 25 Acres
Ingo Agrichamps’ fodder production initiative officially began in 2023. Their initial vision was clear: to fill the gap in hay production and empower young farmers.
A key to their success has been strategic land access. With support from FAO, they initially leased 3 acres at Bukura Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) in 2023 for hay production. Witnessing the profitability, the group expanded by partnering with the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK), Kakamega Branch, to lease an additional 7 acres of public land, bringing the total to 10 acres. These initial lease agreements (2023–2025) were successfully renewed in January 2025 for a further five years, securing public land access until 2030Encouraged by this success, youth groups and individual members have also begun leasing private land, acquiring around 15 acres independently. As of June 2025, Ingo Agrichamps manages approximately 25 acres under fodder production, with ambitious plans to expand to 50 acres by the end of 2027.
The association primarily cultivates Boma Rhodes hay, a variety they learned about through the Livestock Feeds Commercialization project by FAO. Looking ahead, they plan to diversify into other fodder varieties like PakChong 1 Super Napier, and intercrop with Desmodium. They currently achieve three harvests per acre per year.
Quantifiable Impact and Empowerment
Ingo Agrichamps has made a significant impact on both the economic and social well-being of its members and the wider community:
Youth Empowerment: The association currently engages more than 150 youths through its eight member groups, not only in the dairy value chain, but also in other value chains in aquaculture, horticulture, and climate conservation activities 2030.
Market Access: Their main buyers include individual dairy farmers, dairy cooperatives, and the Kakamega Dairy Development Corporation. They utilize direct farm delivery to ensure high-quality hay and build strong customer relationships. Their future plans include diversifying and increasing their market base beyond Kakamega County.
Community Impact: Ingo Agrichamps plays a crucial role in increasing milk production throughout Kakamega County by providing essential feedstock—high-quality hay. For dairy cooperatives, they aim to be a dependable source of high-quality hay, and for the Kakamega Dairy Development Corporation, a reliable, large-scale supplier.
Financial Highlights (2023–2025)
To date, the Ingo Agrichamps Youth Association has demonstrated strong financial growth and sustainability:
Production Revenue: From 25 acres, producing three hay harvests annually, the association has generated over Ksh 4.8 million in gross sales between 2023 and 2025.
Cost of Production: The average annual production cost per acre (including land lease, seeds, labour, and baling) stands at approximately
Ksh 126,000, with costs mitigated through composting and leasing public land.
Net Income: The group has recorded an estimated Ksh 2,280,000 in net income over the past two years, which has been reinvested in land lease renewals and operational expansion. Youth Income Impact: Each of the youths engaged in the project earns an average of Ksh 52,200 per season, with some generating even more through group-based leasing models.
Planned Investments: The association plans to invest Ksh 1.5 Million and Ksh 800,000 by 2027 in acquiring a tractor-driven baler and
constructing a hay storage barn to reduce post-harvest losses and improve efficiency. It also intends to invest Ksh 3 million by 2030 in acquiring a tractor for the baler.
Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead
Despite their remarkable success, Ingo Agrichamps has faced some hurdles. They currently rely on hiring balers from neighboring counties
due to a lack of effective local baling services, which creates vulnerability and can inflate production costs. High input costs and limited access to credit for youth also serve as barriers.
To address these challenges, they have strategically secured public land leases and are building networks for future equipment acquisition and hay storage.
With plans to expand to 50 acres by the end of 2027, diversify their fodder varieties, and engage 500 youths in fodder production, Ingo Agrichamps Youth Association is not just growing hay; they are cultivating a sustainable future for agriculture and empowering a new generation of farmers in Kakamega County.
Dorothy Makayoto is the chairperson of Ingo Agrichamps Youth Group. Email: dorothymakayoto@gmail.com