Cheptebo Centre Farm
Cheptebo Centre Farm
The Cheptebo Centre Farm was established in the late 1980s as part of the development of the 20 hectare Cheptebo Centre site. The farm has a number of functions. Firstly to introduce a variety of crops, breeds of livestock and production techniques which are new to the semi arid Kerio Valley area and to assess their suitability for these conditions. Secondly, to provide a facility to demonstrate farming systems and for training local farmers. Thirdy, to function as a commercial production unit which would provide farm produce and contribute financially to the work of the Cheptebo Centre.
Over the past 30 years the farm has developed particular expertise in small scale farming for the semi arid areas. This is now the particular focus of the demonstration and training activities. The main sectors of activity are as follows.
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Local unimproved dairy cows in the semi arid Kerio Valley yield about 1 litre of milk per day. The Cheptebo Centre has worked to upgrade the level of milk production by introducing pure bred dairy breeds and has also undertaken a programme of cross breeding to improve the productivity of local animals. The first improved animals introduced in 1988 were purebred Jersey cows. These proved to be very heat tolerant and adapted well to climatic conditions in the Kerio Valley. Milk yield was around 10 litres per day and the milk highly valued for its high butterfat content. Jersey animals from the centre and local animals crossed with Jerseys are now used by local farmers.
Ayrshire breeds were introduced next but these animals did not adapt well to the hot, dry conditions at Cheptebo. Milk yields failed to reach their potential for this breed and did not exceed about 12 litres per day.
Sahiwal cattle are dual purpose animals which are highly tolerant of hot conditions. A Sahiwal bull was purchased initially to cross with local dairy cattle. The resulting offspring are larger that the local animals and produce substantially more milk. The level of management required for their upkeep is not as great as for Jersey or Ayrshire breeds.
Currently the centre has pure bred Jersey, Sahiwal cross Ayrshire and Sahiwal cross Friesian dairy animals. Milk yields vary between 10 litres/day (Jersey) and about 16 litres/day (Sahiwal X Friesian).
Upgrading Programme. The centre no longer maintains breeding bulls. Artificial insemination services are used for the upgrading programme both at the centre and in the local community.
Availability of Dairy Animals Surplus dairy animals are normally available for sale . Contact the Farm Manager for further information.
Ayrshire breeds were introduced next but these animals did not adapt well to the hot, dry conditions at Cheptebo. Milk yields failed to reach their potential for this breed and did not exceed about 12 litres per day.
Sahiwal cattle are dual purpose animals which are highly tolerant of hot conditions. A Sahiwal bull was purchased initially to cross with local dairy cattle. The resulting offspring are larger that the local animals and produce substantially more milk. The level of management required for their upkeep is not as great as for Jersey or Ayrshire breeds.
Currently the centre has pure bred Jersey, Sahiwal cross Ayrshire and Sahiwal cross Friesian dairy animals. Milk yields vary between 10 litres/day (Jersey) and about 16 litres/day (Sahiwal X Friesian).
Upgrading Programme. The centre no longer maintains breeding bulls. Artificial insemination services are used for the upgrading programme both at the centre and in the local community.
Availability of Dairy Animals Surplus dairy animals are normally available for sale . Contact the Farm Manager for further information.
Kenya Alpine dairy goats are maintained at the Centre and a large number are now owned by local farmers. Goat milk is in high demand and commands a price premium over cows milk.
To achieve their full potential these animals are maintained under zero grazing conditions. Under good management milk yields are in the range of 2 to 4 litres per day. Females normally produce at least two kids per year and these are in high demand throughout Kenya. Centre staff provides training and ongoing support for dairy goat owners.
Dairy Goat Exchange Scheme Certain individuals may qualify to receive a dairy goat free under a scheme operated by the centre. Full training and supervision is provided before the animal is allocated and the farmer agrees to return the first two female offspring to the centre. These animals are then used to assist other farmers is similar need.
Availability of Dairy Goats Dairy Goats are available for sale from the Centre and from local farmers. Contact us for further information.
To achieve their full potential these animals are maintained under zero grazing conditions. Under good management milk yields are in the range of 2 to 4 litres per day. Females normally produce at least two kids per year and these are in high demand throughout Kenya. Centre staff provides training and ongoing support for dairy goat owners.
Dairy Goat Exchange Scheme Certain individuals may qualify to receive a dairy goat free under a scheme operated by the centre. Full training and supervision is provided before the animal is allocated and the farmer agrees to return the first two female offspring to the centre. These animals are then used to assist other farmers is similar need.
Availability of Dairy Goats Dairy Goats are available for sale from the Centre and from local farmers. Contact us for further information.
The Centre farm has various poultry units for egg and chicken meat production.The management of both hybrid and local chickens is demonstrated in these units.Much of the produce from these units goes directly to the kitchens of the Conference Centre.
The climatic conditions and soils in the Kerio Valley are particularly suited to fruit production. An extensive area is therefore devoted to these crops. Improved mangos (six varieties), improved bananas (six varieties), pawpaw (two varieties) as well as citrus crops such as orange, lemon and tangerine are grown on the farm. Our tree nursery has seedlings available for all these varieties and are sold to farmers throughout Kenya and to neighbouring countries.
The farm is used for demonstration, farmer training and commercial production, so a wide range of crops, production techniques and farming systems are employed. Over the past 30 years the farm has developed particular expertise in small scale farming for the semi arid areas. This is now the particular focus of the demonstration and training activities.
The farm is used for demonstration, farmer training and commercial production, so a wide range of crops, production techniques and farming systems are employed. Over the past 30 years the farm has developed particular expertise in small scale farming for the semi arid areas. This is now the particular focus of the demonstration and training activities.
The semi arid conditions in the area presents particular challenges in producing crops more suited to temporate areas. However by careful selection of crop varieties and production techniques, the farm is able to grow a range of vegetable crops, beans and drought resistant crops very successfully.
Greenhouse production systems have been found to be well suited to horticultural crops even in semi arid areas and their use is being expanded on the farm.
The Farming Gods Way system is now used in many parts of Africa with impressive results. This method has been introduced on the farm. Using this system a range of crops, previously considered unsuitable for the area, now produce very satisfactory yields.
With limited rainfall and high evaporation rates, crop irrigation is an important consideration for agricultural production in semi arid areas. Various irrigation systems have been evaluated and the most beneficial are demonstrated and used on the farm.
The farm utilises and demonstrates furrow, basin and sprinkler irrigation systems. Highly water efficient drip lines based on Israeli technology are now used extensively in horticultural crop production.
Beekeeping is a traditional activity in the area and log hives are still used widely. The centre has established an apiary using modern Kenya bar top hives for demonstration and training purposes as well as commercial production.
While honey is the main product, bees wax is used to produce a range of skin care and other products.
Beekeeping is a traditional activity in the area and log hives are still used widely. The centre has established an apiary using modern Kenya bar top hives for demonstration and training purposes as well as commercial production.
While honey is the main product, bees wax is used to produce a range of skin care and other products.
