BY: Emily Mikwa
Yesterday, 100 Poultry farmers from Nyando, Kisumu East, Kisumu West and Kisumu Central sub counties, each received four bags of growers mash weighing 50Kg per bag as a boost in poultry production, courtesy of Food and Agriculture Organisation in consultation with the County Government.
The farmers recently benefited from 10,000 day old chicks through the food systems project as a seed capital in poultry business, being an economic recovery strategy resulting from the unprecedented economic and food security challenges caused by COVID – 19 pandemic.
This is a mitigative approach by FAO through local population in the Urban and Peri-urban areas to promote poultry as a viable intervention through grants in form of day old chicks and feeds.
The growers mash will assist the farmers in feeding chicks as from 8 to 18 weeks. Upon
reaching maturity age of 18 weeks, the birds will transition to layers mash/finishers mash.
Farmers have always bore the brunt of expensive yet poor quality feeds that have impacted negatively in their output.
It is in the light of this that FAO leaves nothing to chance in ensuring delivery of quality feeds to farmers. It hired the consultancy services of BALTIC Company to a certain the quality of feeds right from loading to distribution level
Speaking while spearheading the feed distribution, the County Director Livestock , Mr Charles Kakuku thanked the partners for their support.
He reminded the farmers that the initiative was a kick start support to poultry business. He called on them to do the business responsibly and promised more support for those who will succeed.
” Every business starts in a small way and grows with determination of the owner,” said Mr. Kakuku.
On mortality percentage, he expressed optimism that they were within the accepted percentage. He further challenged the farmers to exploit the ready market within the growing city of Kisumu which he reiterated as the intent of Governor Nyong’o that when the city grows, it grows with the people.
On his part,the Program Liaison Officer, Mr. Erick Ogadho told the farmers that individual farm visit is the next activity to be initiated to check on the progress of the chicks.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr David Njagi Otieno from Railways Ward, acknowledged that with inception of FAO project, the farmers have made great strides towards achieving food security which is one of the key pillars in Governor Nyong’o s Manifesto.
While Madam Celine from Kibos, Central Kolwa ward, attested that she has been a poultry farmer since 1987, noting that it is a delicate business but also a good source of livelihood. She is grateful that the support by FAO has propelled them to the next level in business.
Also present were: the FAO-KE M&E in charge, Mr. Brian Bodo, a representative from BALTIC Company Mr. Hezbon, the sub counties Livestock Officers Mr. Omune, Madam Garret Adhiambo and Madam Anne Omollo, among other officers.
