Livestock Marketing Systems (LMS) in Garissa have donated equipment to butchers and meat retailers in Garissa town to enhance meat handling and minimize contamination.
The equipment which includes 10 meat carriers, 14 flaying knives, 4 sharpening tools, 11 aprons, 20 meat hooks and 5 pairs of gumboots were handed over by Livestock Chief Officer Isnino Rage and Director for Livestock, Dr. Haret Hambe, to Garissa Butchers Sacco.
Speaking during the handover, Isnino said the County Government was engaging partners in a move to establish cottage industry for hides, skins and bones from local supply in order to create more value for local livestock traders.
“What we are giving out today is part of the efforts our partners are giving in support of the county government’s efforts to upgrade the meat value chain and promote proper hygiene in the Sh216 million monthly industry in Garissa township sub-county,” Isnino said.
She added that plans are underway to identify areas of establishment of disease-free zones, cross border collaboration, livestock infrastructural expansion and mechanization of fodder production and livestock feed processing in the county.
Dr. Haret said efforts by the county and partners had seen a marked improvement in the meat handling sector in the town.
He cited hygiene improvements at the slaughter house, adoption of meat carriers and protective clothing by meat workers and the use of polythene papers in transporting meat from the slaughterhouse.
By Erick Kyalo
