60 Small- holder farmers from Kisumu East and Central Sub counties today received another batch of 6,000-day old chicks at the Kisumu Central Sub County offices.
This is the second batch in addition to the previously distributed batch of 4,000 chicks totaling to the targeted 10,000 chicks to 100 farmers.
The program under the Food Systems Project funded by Food and Agriculture Organisation in partnership with the County Government of Kisumu is a mitigation approach through local population in the Urban and Peri urban to promote poultry as a viable intervention steered towards improving livelihoods.
The County Director Livestock, Mr. Charles Kakuku who presided over the distribution of the second batch called on the farmers to take care of the birds to realize profit in both eggs and meat from the improved Kienyeji breed.
He also urged the farmers to work closely with the extension officers at the sub counties to assist them whenever need arises to avoid any loss, being a business venture that requires sustainability for good returns.
The KALRO coordinator for non- ruminant and research program, Mr. Peter Alaru on his part said they are currently supplying the day-old chicks to 21 counties, Kisumu being one of them and that KALRO does in-depth research on their breeds before supplying to farmers.
He advised the farmers that with proper feeding, watering and timely vaccines, the chicks should take 18 weeks to mature and that they can lay between 220 to 280 eggs per bird annually.
His counterpart Mr. Tobias Koloo took the farmers through the vaccination and feeding guidelines that would help the farmers keep their birds healthy and productive.
According to Madam Pamela Odhiambo, one of the beneficiaries from Kisumu East thanked the County and FAO for the initiative. She called on her fellow farmers to be an example and influence the rest in their neigbourhood to take up the initiative and produce more eggs for income.
Mr. David Njagi Okello another beneficiary from Kisumu Central thanked Kisumu Governor for being committed to the realization of his manifesto in revitalizing agriculture for food security and income to the residents of Kisumu.
In a concerted effort by the county to change the youths’ attitude towards farming as a source of livelihood, some were incorporated into this venture to win more youths into agribusiness. Mr. Wilson Onyango, a youth beneficiary’s clarion call to fellow youths is to shun the negative attitude towards agriculture and instead join hands in ensuring our county is food sufficient and secure.
Also accompanying Director Kakuku were: the Project Coordinator Mr. Erick Ogadho and the Project in charge of M&E Mr. Brian Bodo
