Farm that sees further: Foresight chooses feathers over cattle horns

There‘s a farm in Kitengela, 45 kilometres from Nairobi, where the future of sustainable food is already at work. Most people drive past it unaware they’re passing a serene and pristine gem, solving what the world calls climate change.

Maasai Ostrich Farm is a prime example of what happens when a foresight founder envisions a better future and creates a sustainable agri-business, Kenya‘s first ostrich farm.

While cattle ranching faces limits and farmers fight against drought, this farm produces more protein for every drop of water, square metre of land and kilogramme of feed.

The environmental math isn’t close. The issue isn‘t whether sustainable protein works. The real question is why more businesses aren‘t adapting to the climate we have, instead of the climate we had.

This week‘s signal

Sustainability isn‘t a compromise; it‘s a competitive advantage. Just imagine how sustainable an ostrich farm is; one ostrich egg is equivalent to 20 to 24 chicken eggs. It can feed a family for days. The meat is red, high in protein, and low in cholesterol.

It cooks like beef but provides better nutrition at a much lower environmental cost. The leather reaches international markets. The oil has various business uses. Nothing goes to waste because waste is minimised in the design.

Sustainability is built into the structure. Ostriches need much less water than cattle. They produce minimal methane and thrive in semi-arid areas where traditional livestock struggle.

Their feed conversion ratio is better. In regions where climate challenges worsen every year, and water is scarce, this isn‘t just about being environmentally friendly. This is about cost-effectiveness. Maasai Ostrich Farm shows that sustainable agriculture can maintain productivity. It’s about aligning your operations with the resources you actually have.

What it means for business 

Stop viewing sustainability as a cost and start seeing it as smart design. Most organisations approach environmental responsibility as compliance that reduces margins.

That‘s the wrong approach. Maasai Ostrich Farm exists because a founder looked at constraints. They considered limited water, rising temperatures, and unpredictable rainfall.

Where others saw problems that required more resources and costs, the farm saw criteria for design. Build for the reality on the ground, not for ideal scenarios. The outcome is a business that becomes more effective as resources dwindle. That’s where the real advantage lies. Your sustainability plan should make you stronger in constrained environments, not weaker.

What it means for policy  

Food security and climate goals aren’t competing priorities. They are interconnected issues that need comprehensive solutions. They are the same problem requiring integrated solutions. 

Traditional livestock production uses up water we can’t afford, produces emissions that are harmful, and requires land usage that destroys ecosystems. Policy responses often focus on restrictions, which are necessary but not enough.

The Maasai Ostrich Farm reveals a different approach. This isn‘t a trial; it‘s sustainable, scalable, and thrives where traditional methods fail.

Policymakers need to accelerate what already works; introduce tax incentives for resource-efficient protein production, sufficient support for farmers and market incentives for eco-friendly practices. The evidence is clear.

In Africa, we still treat sustainability as a future concern instead of a present opportunity.

What it means for the people 

The ostrich has survived millions of years through teamwork.

Female ostriches guard the eggs during the day while the males take over at night. They share the responsibility, preventing burnout because the system is built to support all members. 

Many leadership teams haven‘t learned this lesson. They create plans that rely on individuals breaking down, then praise resilience instead of questioning why it‘s needed so often. Sustainable performance is about creating systems that work without draining their resources. This season, let us take great lessons from the ostrich.

The Maasai Ostrich Farm in Kitengela is located in a peaceful area just outside Nairobi. The farm offers something precious this holiday season: space to relax, children can learn without screens, and parents can slow down effortlessly. Ostrich rides create lasting memories filled with joy and laughter. It‘s education wrapped in fun.

The bird that cannot fly teaches crucial lessons. What looks like a weakness is a strategic advantage. This holiday season, that strength might come from choosing ostrich meat and eggs for your meals, picking experiences over distractions, and making family time feel genuine again.

Afterthought  

Sustainability should not be seen as a separate obligation from daily operations. It should be the foundation of what and how we build businesses.

Maasai Ostrich Farm illustrates this - using less water, less land, producing less methane, while offering more nutrition and efficiency for every resource used. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. “Decisions are made on the radar screen, but the future is yours.”

-The writer is a human-centred strategist and leadership columnist.