Cost is driven by five things. Day-old chicks, feed, vaccines and medication, housing and labour, and the birds you lose along the way. Feed usually takes the largest share. Prices move every season, so use a current cost sheet rather than a figure you saw last year. See broiler and layer cost guides.

Maize is the main one by area and by consumption. Wheat, rice, sorghum, millet and barley are also grown widely, with the mix depending on rainfall and altitude. Sorghum and millet suit drier zones. Wheat and barley do better in the higher, cooler areas. See the cereals guide.

It can be, and it returns cash faster than most enterprises. Margins are thin per bird, so profit comes from feed control, low mortality and a buyer arranged before the birds are ready. Farmers who lose money usually lose it on feed waste or a rushed sale. Read the poultry guides.

Kei apple, kayaba, duranta and bottlebrush are the common choices. Kei apple gives the strongest barrier because of its thorns. Duranta and bottlebrush suit compounds where appearance matters. Spacing and early trimming decide whether the fence works. See live fencing guides.

Yes. The Agricultural Finance Corporation lends specifically to farmers. Commercial banks, SACCOs and digital lenders also offer agricultural products. Terms differ a great deal on interest, security and repayment timing. Most rejections come down to weak records and a repayment plan that ignores the crop or livestock cycle. Compare farm loans.

It depends on your altitude, rainfall and buyer. Rosecoco and mwitemania sell well in most markets. Climbing beans give higher yields per acre where you can stake them. Wairimu and yellow beans suit particular buyers who pay a premium. Choose for your market first, then for yield. Compare bean varieties.

Often yes, though your options narrow. Some SACCOs lend against guarantors or savings rather than land. Digital and value-chain lenders may use your sales history instead. Warehouse receipts and contract farming arrangements can also secure credit. Expect smaller amounts and closer scrutiny of your records. See farm finance options.

A crop calendar sets out when to prepare land, plant, weed, spray and harvest for a given crop and region. It matters because most losses in Kenyan smallholder farming come from timing, not from effort. Planting late into a short rains season is a common and expensive mistake. See crop calendars.

The guides, cost sheets and comparison tools are free and need no sign-up. Advisory work such as business plans, loan applications, feasibility studies and export readiness is a paid service. See advisory services.