The County department of Agriculture and livestock today issued 24 dairy cows at a cost of 3.1 million to be distributed across the 7 sub-counties.
Speaking during the flagging off of the distribution exercise, the County Minister for Agriculture and livestock Mr. Gilchrist Okuom stated that the county government has invested in Agriculture and livestock production as a way of improving livelihoods.
The County Minister also acknowledged that the department has concentrated on the high potential areas such as South East Nyakach Ward in Nyakach Sub County which he said has presented a positive performance in dairy farming. Mr. Okuom congratulated the Member of County Assembly for southeast Nyakach, Hon. Johnson Guya for the continuous investment in dairy farming through development funds to the benefit of the ward, adding that the Southeast Nyakach is the model ward in the county in dairy farming and promising that the department will work together to support dairy farming in the area.
Mr. Okuom confirmed that the previous herd of livestock issued to farmers are healthy and he advised farmers to change from traditional cattle to grade cows as a means to improving livelihoods. “In the face of livestock theft, dairy cattle are the best alternative to the people of Nyakach and also a means to maximizing profits due to its value addition.”
Hon. Guya was confident that the cows were of the best quality, adding that the dairy cattle’s profitability outweighs traditional cattle farming in the area. He urged the department to strengthen Artificial Insemination (AI) to support dairy farming in Nyakach.
The event was attended by the County chief officer for Livestock, Madam Rosemary Raluoch, County director for livestock Mr. Charles Kakuku among other county officers.
The chief officer stated that the County government is committed to supporting farmers’ to improve the quality of dairy production, adding that the department has put in place a follow-up mechanism to support the farmers through extension services, monitoring and evaluation.
Mr. Akuku also affirmed that the cows are healthy and will be due for calving in the next 4 to 5 months
The team encouraged farmers to focus on the value addition of dairy products through the formation of cooperatives.
By Matilda Atieno
CEC Member for Agriculture and livestock, Mr. Gilchrist Okuom flag’s off the distribution of dairy cows at Mamboleo ASK show ground in the company of Hon. Johnson Guya MCA of Southeast Nyakach Ward in Nyakach Sub-County (Picture by David Wadulo)
