Dairy farming in Nyeri County has received a major boost after the county government procured four vehicles to facilitate artificial insemination.
Speaking after flagging off four Artificial Insemination (AI) vehicles and one tractor, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga said the four will be distributed to Othaya, Mathira, Kieni East and Kieni West sub counties for the purposes of boosting dairy farming in the county.
Kahiga said that the distribution of the vehicles will go a long way in improving the dairy breeds available in the county and help to increase milk production adding that the county plans to extend the services to all the sub counties in Nyeri.
He said the tractor will also benefit farmers as they will be hiring it at half-price of the usual tractors, and has the capacity to harvest and chop foliage for silage.
The governor said the budget allocation for the vehicles was done in June last year and procurement of the equipment done later.
Agriculture CEC James Wachihi who was also present said that the vehicles will enhance mobility of the extension officers and raise the number of AI services offered from 12, 000 to 20,000 per year.
Wachihi said the area Government has been offering free AI services by servicing 12,000 dairy cows annually.
He added that the vehicles will aid in mechanisation of agriculture and help in the transition from traditional methods of farming.
However the Governor at the same time said his government has allowed traders back to streets under strict conditions after they complained of starvation.
“I will allow you to go back as there is no relief food, but observe measures put in place to curb spread of Covid-19,” said Kahiga
By Beth Ndirangu
