Anjelica's Dual Enterprise: From Subsistence to Commercial Agribusiness
Poultry and Dairy Transformation in Meru County
Production Growth
Commercial-scale chick brooding enabled; year-round quality dairy feed
Jobs Created
1+
Key Highlight
Brooder + silage system installed
Beneficiary
Anjelica Kalintu
Type
Agro MSME
Location
Muthara · Tigania East · Meru
Story Collected By
RK-FINFA Meru County Coach
Transformation Journey
BBefore RK-FINFA
The MSME operated an extensive poultry enterprise, consistently producing over five crates of eggs weekly and primarily focused on supply and aggregation of eggs to generate revenue. To sell chicks, she had to rely on natural brooding methods or sell fertilised eggs to other farmers for them to brood. In her dairy farming, she depended on traditional and inconsistent feeding practices which were highly unreliable and not sufficient throughout the year.
AAfter RK-FINFA
The MSME received capacity building on market drivers, record keeping and marketing. A bankable business plan was developed and she was linked to Dhabiti Sacco where she accessed financing. She was able to acquire a brooder to enable large-scale chick brooding and significantly increase survival rates. She also managed to fully install a silage system to ensure reliable high-quality feed for her dairy cattle.
Key Result
Acquiring the brooder has prepared the MSME to begin large-scale chick brooding which will increase survival rates and enable commercial chick sales. The silage system is complete and will provide her cattle with consistent high-quality feed all year round, improving cattle health and milk production. These advances strengthen her farm's capacity and diversify income.
Impact Results
Production
Commercial-scale chick brooding enabled; year-round quality dairy feed
Employment
1+
Market & Linkages
Financial inclusion achieved
The Challenge
Without a commercial brooder, Anjelica was unable to scale her poultry enterprise beyond egg production. Natural brooding was unreliable and limited chick survival rates. Her dairy cattle suffered from inconsistent feed quality due to reliance on seasonal pasture, leading to variable milk production throughout the year.
Main Challenges Faced
- 1No commercial brooder — chick brooding unreliable and unscalable
- 2Inconsistent feed supply limiting dairy cattle health and milk production
- 3Inadequate business documentation to access formal financing
- 4Limited market linkages for value-added poultry products
RK-FINFA Support Provided
RK-FINFA coaches provided capacity building on market drivers, record keeping, and marketing strategies. A bankable business plan was prepared, enabling Anjelica to access financing through Dhabiti Sacco. The loan facilitated acquisition of a commercial brooder and installation of a complete silage system.
Training Areas
Gender, Youth & Inclusion
66-year-old female entrepreneur demonstrating that agribusiness transformation has no age barrier.
Women-led enterprise in a traditionally male-dominated commercial farming space.
Serves as a role model for older women pursuing agribusiness growth in Tigania East.
"The training and support helped me see my farm as a real business. Now I have the tools to grow both my poultry and dairy enterprises properly."
Anjelica Kalintu
Farm Owner, Tigania East – Meru County
Sustainability Measures
- Commercial brooder reduces reliance on unreliable natural brooding
- Silage system provides year-round quality feed, reducing weather dependency
- Business plan and Sacco linkage create ongoing access to formal credit
- Diversified income streams between poultry and dairy reduce enterprise risk
Future Outlook
- Scale commercial chick brooding to supply other farmers
- Increase dairy herd size supported by consistent silage feed
- Explore value addition in dairy (yoghurt, cheese)
- Mentor other women farmers in Muthara Ward