The ministry of agriculture in Bungoma County has distributed 30 heads of dairy cows to farmers in West Nalondo ward in Kanduyi Constituency aimed at increasing milk production.
Speaking to KNA at Mabanga Agricultural Training Center (ATC), Agriculture Irrigation and cooperatives Chief Officer Onesmus Makhanu, said that the farmers will have their milk delivered to newly constructed Webuye milk processing plant.
He said the plant will also offer employment opportunities to Bungoma residents noting that the county veterinary officers did research before deciding on which type of dairy cows were ideal for the region.
He affirmed that all the cows that were distributed are healthy and will greatly benefit farmers. He said if the cows are fed well, they will produce between 15- 30 litres of milk per day.
Makhanu however urged farmers to use Artificial Insemination when the cows are on heat adding that the government has a subsidy program that will support all farmers across the county.
He called on other farmers who have not benefited to venture into dairy farming saying the facility will take milk from all farmers irrespective of whether they are registered or not.
“Dairy farming is one of the self- employment opportunities that Bungoma farmers should adopt because the county cannot manage to distribute dairy cows to every farmer in Bungoma,” he said.
He added that the program is still on and dairy cows will be distributed to other groups in the county.
By Anne Wekesa
