Sarah Atuhaire: Woman Who Left US to Rear Goats Back Home Earns Millions

 

A woman who left the United States (US) to pursue her passion for goat farming in Uganda has achieved extraordinary success, turning her pastoral pursuits into a multimillion-shilling venture. Sarah Atuhaire is the founder of AIRE Farms.  After 13 years in the US, Sarah Atuhaire embarked on a journey to rear goats and cultivate a thriving business while embracing the allure of her homeland.  The farmer harnessed innovative agricultural practices and transformed her humble enterprise into a lucrative endeavour. She is the founder of AIRE Farms Kayunga, which is located 170km from the capital, Kampala. The farm hosts over 1,000 goats of different breeds, including Savanna, Kalahari red and South African Boer. "The good thing about the Boers and the Savanna is that they get on heat just six months after birth, unlike the local breed, which takes two years before they are served for the first time. But we don't serve them at six months, we wait for them to make at least eight months to make sure pregnancy doesn't affect them," Atuhaire told UG Connect. Subscribe to watch new videos Why Sarah Atuhaire left the US While residing in the United States, she established a company that provided employment opportunities for numerous individuals.  However, driven by a desire to reinvest in her homeland, she made the bold decision to redirect her entrepreneurial efforts back to her roots. "In the US I owned a company that employed people who earned good money. But I feel like the employment I have created here gives me so much satisfaction and fulfilment. I personally believe in fair wages, so I think I am one of the highest-paying farmers in Uganda," she revealed. Atuhaire said she had provided employment to tens of people who were jobless before she came back home, having studied food security and poverty eradication. "It's amazing to go out there (abroad) but let's go with the mentality of going to learn and pick as much as you can to come and impact the nation. Why separate male and female goats? AIRE Farm goat pen is divided into three sections; one hosting bucks, another does and the other kids.She explained that separating male and female goats helps to control reproduction and minimise diseases such as pneumonia during cold seasons. "Separating them also helps us to produce kids in groups which give us bulk cash when we sell them to breeders, and also makes management easier." Considering that they feed free range, they graze separately in different fields. She disclosed that the venture was lucrative due to the readily available market for meat and breeding. According to Daily Monitor, four-month-old goats cost USh 150,000 (KSh 6372). A nanny goes for USh 200,000 (KSh 8497), while a billy goat retails at USh 250,000 (KSh 10,621) A fully mature nanny costs up to USh 300,000 (KSh 12,745), while the same for billy goats is USh 550,000 (KSh 23,366). How Kenyan woman succeeded in goat farming in Uganda A Kenyan woman named Purity is also raking millions by running a thriving dairy goat farm in Uganda.Initially the owner of one goat, Purity's farm expanded rapidly despite numerous challenges faced and now has over 200 goats producing 45-70 litres of milk per day. Goat milk is valued for its quick digestion, weight loss benefits, and positive impact on special needs children. 

by  Japhet Ruto