The young Kenyans thriving on rural Denmark farms

“I work in the insemination and gestation stables, and I take care of the gilts. I also help out in the farrowing stables at weekends,” she says, adding that her duties include cleaning, feeding, administering medication and performing daily insemination tasks for the 200 pigs on the farm.

After nearly a year in Denmark, she says her understanding of agriculture has been transformed, particularly through her exposure to mechanised systems and integrated technology. “I have gained skills that I had never had before, such as pregnancy scanning in sows, back fat scanning in gilts, and splitting newborns up to ensure they all get enough colostrum,” Mukami explains.

She notes that Denmark’s approach places a strong emphasis on animal welfare and data-driven practices, with responsibilities that would typically be reserved for veterinary professionals in Kenya being entrusted to workers.

“I was taught most veterinary tasks, such as pregnancy diagnosis, and I also learned data analysis, monitoring, and record keeping,” she says.

Mukami describes the work environment as structured and balanced. “There is a horizontal hierarchy where everyone is on the same level, and most things are computerised. Feeding systems have specific hours and automatically feed the animals, so labour is reduced,’ she explains.

However, adapting to life in Denmark has not been without challenges.

"Danish is a very difficult language to learn," she says, pointing out that even outside of work, communication can be challenging. She also struggled to adapt to the harsh winters. People are friendly, but not very social, and the cold is extreme. But after all, you still have to work."

Nevertheless, she considers the experience an eye-opener. "You learn how to be independent, you are exposed to different cultures, and you gain life skills such as saving," she says.

She earns a monthly salary of between Sh160,000 and Sh260,000 after tax. Living in a rural area, this salary provides her with a comfortable lifestyle. Compared to major cities in Denmark such as Copenhagen, she notes that the cost of living is significantly lower, particularly when it comes to housing.

In addition to livestock production, the farm also incorporates crop farming into its operations. “Our farm produces most of the ingredients used in feed formulation, such as oats, wheat and barley,” adds Mukami.

Ezra Kipkurui Bii, 26, is also building a career in Denmark’s pig farming sector. His daily routine involves feeding, cleaning, and monitoring health of the animals in a system that prioritises hygiene and biosecurity.

He came to Denmark through a 12-month agricultural internship programme after completing his undergraduate degree in the same field.

“I came here mainly for exposure and practical experience of advanced farming systems,” he explains, describing the sector as highly mechanised and data-driven. "They follow the statistics and come up with solutions. That is precision farming compared to back home.”

Through his work, Ezra has developed a strong appreciation for record keeping and efficiency. “In the year that I have been here, I have learned how important efficiency, animal welfare and record keeping are. When I go back home, I will take data tracking seriously,” he says.

He was particularly impressed by the size and profitability of pig farming. “What surprised me most is how pigs can transform the economic landscape. I work with thousands of pigs belonging to just one farmer,” says Bii.

Despite the large number of animals, he notes that technology makes the work manageable. "There is a lot of machinery, so the work is easier," he says, adding that, while he does not disclose his exact earnings, "it is worth it compared to what I would earn back home."

Like Mukami, Bii found learning the language and adjusting to the cold weather challenging, but he has overcome these difficulties.
"I remember being given vitamin D tablets and supplements, which was strange. Back home, the sun gives us all the vitamin D we need.”

Ezra lives in Hobro, in the north of Jutland. He describes it as a rural setting, surrounded by farms and open fields — a stark contrast to the fast-paced environment of the Danish capital.

"Life here is much quieter and more affordable compared to Copenhagen, where the cost of living is significantly higher and the environment is more urban and busy. In Hobro, everything is more relaxed and centred around farm life.”

He hopes to return to Kenya and apply what he has learned. “I want to improve life back home and teach others how to farm efficiently.”

For Charles Wairagu, 26, securing an internship on a dairy farm in Denmark in February last year was life-changing. He had just completed a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Kenyatta University.

“I chose Denmark because of its advanced agricultural technology and efficient dairy production. I came through Bic Solutions Limited, a Nairobi-based recruitment agency that organises full-time paid internships in Denmark for English-speaking agriculture students before they graduate. The internship lasts 18 months.”

His work primarily involves milking, which is supported by automated systems. “The main responsibility is milking using machine systems. That takes up about 80 percent of the shift,” he explains, adding that he is also responsible for monitoring animal health, feeding, and farm hygiene.

“They rely heavily on data. The farms are data-driven. One cow can produce a lot of milk, and sensors are used to monitor their health. For instance, cows wear collars fitted with sensors that detect when they are in heat and send signals to the system, which makes it easier to plan insemination,” he says.

Charles is currently based in Østervrå, a rural town in North Jutland, around 45 kilometres from the city of Aalborg.

He contrasts rural Denmark with Copenhagen, which he describes as expensive and fast-paced.

"Living in rural areas like Østervrå offers a calm atmosphere, lower living costs, less traffic, and closer community interactions. It is ideal for agricultural work and provides a good work-life balance. Copenhagen, on the other hand, is a large metropolitan city with a fast-paced lifestyle, higher living costs, and more entertainment and career opportunities. However, it is generally busier and more expensive,” he adds.

Charles describes Denmark’s agricultural sector as highly advanced. “Most things are mechanised. Even milking is automated, and farms are data-driven,” he says. Sensors track animal health and reproduction, enabling farmers to make informed decisions.

Charles works on a large-scale operation with hundreds of cows and extensive farmland. Despite its size, the workforce remains small due to automation. "Even with a large herd, there are only a few of us working with the animals, but the systems make everything manageable," he says.

His schedule is structured around shifts, some of which begin very early in the morning.

"The morning shift can start as early as 1:45 am and runs until around 8 am. My farm has two units. One hosts around 400 Holstein cows and the other has about 800 Jersey cows. The farm also owns around 800 hectares of land which is used to grow maize and grass for silage, ensuring a consistent supply of feed,” he says.

He adds;"Most farms grow their own feed. The main raw materials are corn silage and grass or wheat silage. These are harvested and stored through fermentation in airtight conditions before being mixed with minerals to create a balanced diet that supports milk production.

In the initial months, Charles says that an intern earns about Sh240,000 a month before tax. "After that, earnings can increase depending on age and experience. Those above 25 can earn up to around Sh340,000 (DKK 17,000), including overtime and holiday bonuses,” he says.

He notes that housing is one of the biggest expenses, even in rural areas.

“Rent can be around Sh50,000 per month, although some get cheaper housing or even free accommodation. Utilities are often covered,” he says.

Peter David Maina, a 25-year-old Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering graduate, is completing a professional dairy internship in the North Denmark Region. He says his work combines high-level herd management with the integration of advanced agricultural technology.

“I work in the dairy sector. My day-to-day routine is a blend of precision animal husbandry and technical operations,’ he says.

Peter has been in Denmark for 14 months, working in the Gedsted area of rural Jutland.

“I live and work in the heart of rural Jutland, far from the busy streets of Copenhagen. Life here is quiet and disciplined because everything revolves around the animals.”

He manages a large-scale operation that produces milk on an industrial scale.

“I look after around 1,800 animals, including 1,000 dairy cows and 800 heifers. We produce around 50,000 litres of milk a day, with three to five calves being born every day,” Peter says.

The extensive farm combines livestock production with large-scale crop farming.
“The farm covers around 1,000 hectares. Around 900 hectares are used for growing maize and grass silage to feed the animals. We also rotate our crops depending on the season, including potatoes,” he says.
He adds that sustainability is integrated into the system through the production of green energy from waste. Peter hopes to transition into a skilled worker role before eventually returning to Kenya.

"A biogas system that produces green energy supplies electricity to the local area. This system processes all waste from the animals,” he says.

He says that the scale of the operation requires precision and autonomy.

“What surprised me most is the flat hierarchy. Even as an intern, you are trusted to independently manage sections. You are expected to solve problems,” he says.

Regarding earnings, he says that this experience offers financial stability compared to entry-level work in Kenya.

“The pay covers all living expenses and allows for savings. Skilled worker contracts can earn up to around 34,000 DKK (Sh680,000) per month,” he says.

“Your degree gets you in, but your work ethic keeps you there. If you are skilled and reliable, the opportunities here are endless,” he adds.

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