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

 

A remarkable tale unfolds as Sarah Atuhaire, a woman who departed the United States (US) to pursue her passion for goat farming in Uganda, attains extraordinary success, transforming her pastoral endeavors into a multimillion-shilling venture. Atuhaire is the visionary founder behind AIRE Farms.

After spending 13 years in the US, Atuhaire embarked on a journey to rear goats and cultivate a thriving business, all while reconnecting with the allure of her homeland. Employing innovative agricultural practices, she transformed her modest enterprise into a highly lucrative venture.

Located 170km from the capital, Kampala, AIRE Farms Kayunga is home to over 1,000 goats of diverse breeds, including Savanna, Kalahari red, and South African Boer. Atuhaire highlighted the advantages of certain breeds, stating, "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 reach at least eight months to ensure pregnancy doesn't affect them," as shared with UG Connect.

The decision to leave the US, where she had established a successful company providing employment opportunities, was fueled by Atuhaire's desire to reinvest in her homeland. She emphasized the satisfaction and fulfillment derived from creating employment opportunities in Uganda. "I personally believe in fair wages, so I think I am one of the highest-paying farmers in Uganda," she revealed. Atuhaire has offered employment to dozens of individuals who were previously jobless, leveraging her expertise in food security and poverty eradication.

AIRE Farm's goat pen is strategically divided into sections for bucks, does, and kids, ensuring effective reproduction control and minimizing diseases during cold seasons. Atuhaire explained, "Separating them also helps us to produce kids in groups, which gives us bulk cash when we sell them to breeders and makes management easier."

The venture has proven lucrative, with a robust market for both meat and breeding. According to Daily Monitor, four-month-old goats are priced at USh 150,000, nannies at USh 200,000, and billy goats at USh 250,000. Fully mature nannies fetch up to USh 300,000, while mature billy goats command a price of USh 550,000. Atuhaire's journey stands as a testament to the potential for success when passion, innovation, and a commitment to community upliftment converge in the world of agriculture.