Livestock keepers from pastoral areas in the North Rift region have been advised to engage in modern livestock methods in animal husbandry in bid to increase yields.
Agriculture CAS in the department of Livestock and Fisheries Linah Jebii Kilimo said that the department has come up with different methods to improve livestock production to ensure a major boost in profit from meat and milk produce.
Speaking during the commissioning of Kishaunet Livestock Market and Tampalal cattle dip funded by the World Bank in collaboration with the County government of West Pokot, Jebii called on cattle keepers to embrace artificial insemination adding that they need to weigh livestock in sale yards. “Farmers in the semi arid area should embrace improving livestock breeding, it will be key in improving the quality of stock reared in the region and enhance food security,” she said, adding that cross breeding should also be practiced often.
She noted that the national government has allocated enough funds to improve livestock production in the country which is a major income earner in the region, “We need our farmers to start improving animal breeds, which are of better economic value, and would in turn help to improve livelihoods,” she added.
She stated that the County government is doing a spirited campaign through offering capacity building, sensitization to farmers to gain modern skills and no how to breed local livestock.
Governor John Lonyangapuo observed that the County government has intensified breeding of sahiwal cows and galla goats in by supplying the breeds to farmers in the County. “We were giving animals to farmers in Asal areas but now we want do that in very ward. We are using sahiwal bulls to cross breed cows to improve breeds,” he said.
Lonyangapuo stated that farmers need to embrace value addition and use social media to market their livestock for them to fetch good prices, “We need to go digital and sell our animals through social media platforms. Farmers should not be exploited.”
