Migori County residents have been urged to diversify their farming enterprises by practising mixed farming to make their land productive.
Ida Odinga while speaking during the launch of Oyani Dairy Cooperative Society urged all the residents to exploit the agricultural potential of the local ecological zone.
Odinga challenged Migori farmers to start keeping dairy cows as an important step towards economic independence.
She said agricultural officials had proved that the entire Migori County is fit for dairy farming but added the potential is underutilised.
Mrs Odinga said for a long time farmers concentrated their activities around sugar cane and tobacco growing while ignoring other possible enterprises like dairy keeping.
She reiterated that dairy farming could be the solution to end poverty and improve livelihoods among Migori residents if the initiative is embraced and properly implemented.
“Considering the good climate around this place you should be great farmers if only you would do away with sugarcane planting alone and instead venture into other farming activities for instance dairy keeping which will be a good source of income for you,” she added.
Director for Livestock National Government Dr Roseline Wambugu present at the function asked dairy farmers to use modern breeding methods and improved livestock feeds for best results.
Wambugu urged the locals to utilise support from both National and County Governments to boost their dairy farming. She said technical support had been provided for the dairy farmers and their commitment is only needed for their lives to change.
Dr Wambugu used the occasion to donate Artificial Insemination Kit materials worth Sh250,000 to the cooperative farmers at Oyani.
She revealed that the kit carried the most sought after cow breeds that guarantee the highest milk production performance.
The AI materials are expected to boost dairy farming among the Oyani residents. The milk will be stored in the cooling system installed at the dairy with a capacity to preserve over 5000 liters of milk a day.
Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop, Dr Jackson Ole Sapit, Migori County Woman Representative Dr Pamela Odhiambo, area Member of Parliament Mark Nyamita among other local leaders attended the launch of Oyani dairy machinery.
The leaders visited several developments projects in the area before settling for Harambee at Oruba Girls in Uriri Constituency.
by Cynthia Gathoni/Geoffrey Satia
