Land scarcity is progressively limiting the expansion of agricultural activities in Kenya due to increasing human population. This requires intensification of agricultural production to meet the increasing demand for cash and food (maize). Livestock is an important economic activity for smallholder farmers who produce 80% of marketed milk. However, potential milk production has not been achieved due to continuous feed unavailability both in quantity and quality. Acreage under forages has progressively reduced in preference for food and cash crops. A variety of forages have been developed for smallholder farmers but with limited adoption. The adoption of these forages are influenced by social and economic factors. The objective of this study was to analyse these factors under farmer conditions. The data was collected from on-farm trials carried out in Moiben and Nyatieko. Cost-Benefit analysis using discounted techniques was used to find the profitability of the technologies. The results show benefits accruing from Napier grass and grass leys as viable options. The Net Present Values per hectare at 15% discount rate for Rhodes grass under hay making followed by grazingin situscenario KSh 1,653, Rhodes grass hay making scenario KSh 44,863, Coloured guinea under hay making followed by direct grazing KSh 2,069, Coloured guinea hay making scenario KSh 54,697, Napier grass with 60 kg P2O5ha + 60 kg N ha KSh 37,361, Napier grass 10 t ha−1farm yard manure (FYM) KSh 44 185 and half the rates of inorganic and FYM on Napier grass gave KSh 40,794. These figures show that forage crops economically compete for farm resources when compared to maize crop with an average annual flow of KSh 10,000 giving Net Present Value of KSh 24,360 (for three years) and 31,993 (for five years). Farmer evaluations based on forage persistence and yields rated Rhodes grass and Napier grass as good forages at smallholder level.