At least 48 groups of farmers in Migori County received 84 high-breed cats from the devolved government worth over Sh97 million.
Among the distributed animals at Nyamosense/Komosoko ward in Kuria West Sub County were 63 in-calf heifers and 21 Sahiwal bulls given out to help boost milk and meat production within the region.
During the event presided over by the deputy governor Dr. Joseph Mahiri farmers were urged to jealously guard the animals while caring for them at their homes in order to give them a good income.
“The animals would only thrive in an environment where they are not exposed to diseases,” said Dr. Mahiri.
The deputy governor said the county leadership was keen to promote milk and meat production by giving farmers upgraded breeds and encouraging them to diversify from the indigenous breeds.
“We are currently working with partners to ensure that the current shortfall in milk and meat is addressed. This will only be possible through supplying farmers with improved types of cattle,” he explained.
Migori County has faced a serious shortfall in milk production, only producing 25 million litres of milk annually, which is way lower than its demand of 88 million litres per year.
To bridge the gap the region has perennially imported milk from the far-flung regions of Kericho, Kisii, Nandi, Trans Mara, and even as far as Tarime in the neighbouring country, Tanzania.
Migori County Executive Committee Member (CEC) in charge of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Lucas Mosenda, said the programme to offer farmers the upgraded breed is an initiative embedded in the county manifesto and would ensure that farmers get the right animals to elevate their economic status.
The programme aims at giving out high-breed cattle in all eight constituencies within the region up to the ward levels, said Mosenda, adding that each of the 48 wards will get two animals.
“The farmers have been organised in such a way that calves sired from animals given to a group will be distributed amongst the group members, he explained.
A beneficiary farmer Christine Robi appreciated the gesture and promised to take care of the group animals by following the firm instructions from experts to help fulfil the dream of the county.
“This will reduce our over-reliance on milk from other regions,” she noted.
By Evans Shiundu and Dadius Ontiri
