Kajiado County Executive Member for Agriculture has said Ipomea weed which is widespread in Kajiado County is a major threat to livestock production.
Jackson Achola while speaking on Thursday in Loitoktok during the launch of Loitoktok Dairy mini plant said the weed is spreading like bush fire and need concerted effort from all the stakeholders to contain it.
Achola called upon the local community to work closely with the county government to fast track the elimination of the weed which has adversely affected Kajiado Central livestock farmers.
He further noted after the weed invade palatable vegetation meant for livestock consumption the former is usually destroyed terming the trend as a threat to livestock production making Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku to declare the weed as a disaster during the recent Madaraka day Celebrations.
On improving livestock production in the county Achola noted the County Government has initiated a program dubbed Moderation Pastoralism aimed at enhancing quality production and fast tracking value chain in milk, meat, hides and skins.
He said the County Government initiated the program due to climatic change which has adversely affected the traditional pastoralism which has led to massive deaths of livestock in the region.
“Through our program, the Agricultural Sector Development Support Program (ASDSP) farmers have been trained on value addition, commercialization of livestock farming among others,” noted Achola.
He noted that the ASDSP will be replaced by Kenya Agricultural Business Development Project which will focus mainly on agricultural businesses.
Achola appreciated Loitoktok Dairy Cooperative Society for being active which has led to the establishment of a mini plant for livestock products processing.
Loitoktok Dairy Cooperative Society chairperson, Grace Njuguna, said they intend to extend its geographical coverage by recruiting more members which currently stand at 700 a majority of them being women.
She also called upon the Department of Public Health and Kenya Dairy Board to sensitize members of the public on importance of consuming pasteurized milk to fast track it’s consumption.
By Kimani Tirus
