More than 17,000 farmers in Samburu County are set to benefit from an agricultural project that aims to increase production of key value chains within the county.
The project, dubbed National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIG), supports four value chains which are free range poultry, dairy, honey and meat (beef, mutton and goat meat).
The NARIG County Coordinator, Jackson Lelegwe noted that Samburu central has a huge potential in dairy farming because of favorable weather as well as the ongoing subdivision of communal land into individual ownership.
“After subdivision of communal land, we will sensitize the new land owners on the benefits of zero grazing for their animals as well as commercial free range chicken rearing,” he said.
Speaking at a Maralal Hotel during the county’s sheep and goats value chain stakeholders’ forum, Lelegwe said that the project aims at value addition on the already existing bee farming in the county, adding that Samburu produces some of the best organic honey which has high demand locally and abroad.
He mentioned that beef, mutton and goat meat is also a major focus value chain, since more that 90 percent of residents depend on livestock keeping for livelihood.
“Beef and mutton do very well in Samburu North while goat rearing flourishes in parts of Samburu East and these are the farmers we will engage to ensure they get profit from their daily ventures,” he said.
Proposals and suggestions from stakeholders among them farmers, agricultural researchers and marketers would be factored in order to contribute to improving livestock keeping and expanding market for goat and sheep meat.
The farmers who attended the workshop said that they had acquired knowledge and skills that would enable them improve breeds and quality of products they release into the market.
By Robert Githu
