Cattle dips committees in Baringo central have been encouraged to observed best livestock practices in order to realise increased animal production.
The call was made on Thursday during a one day training of over 100 members from the 46 cattle dips within the Sub-county.
The County Executive Committee member (CEC) in charge of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Richard Rotich noted that there was need for committee heads to champion effective tick control measures to reduce animal diseases and foster quality production.
Dr. Rotich who opened the training held at a Kabarnet hotel said 90 percent of county residents depend on livestock farming for their livelihood hence there is need to give much considerations to the important sector.
“We have put a lot of emphasis in the sector to ensure that cattle dips are functional and active so that livestock production is boosted,” said the Agriculture CEC.
He stated that the Baringo County government has for the past one year embarked on massive renovation and establishment of new cattle dips as well as distribution of acaricides in all cattle dips.
The Agriculture CEC advised members of the community to elect cattle dip officials who will uphold integrity in order to fully utilise resources disbursed by both the national and county governments.
He also warned contractors undertaking various veterinary projects in the entire sub county who are fond of doing substandard works and delaying projects to desist, saying that they risk being blacklisted from future transactions with the county government.
At the same time he revealed that his department was in advanced stages of establishing a semen centre in Kabarnet as well as Eldama Ravine and Kabartonjo towns to revive the artificial insemination (AI) services and improve livestock breeds.
“Once we roll out the flagship project, it will be at a subsidised price that is affordable to all farmers,” said DrRotich.
The County Director of Vetinary Services, Dr. John Wameyo said his department will conduct massive vaccination drive against tick borne diseases such as East Coast Fever (ECF), Anaplasmosis and Tripanosomiasis as the region anticipate for the long rains in March.
Dr. Wameyo stated that part of their objective is to achieve 80 percent success in the veterinary projects, urging the cattle dips executive committee heads to work hard in managing and contributing to the sector which is in line with the four agendas of the national government.
During the seminar the committee heads led by Nehemiah Kiplagat from Kaptunoi Sub location urged the livestock department to fast track renovation works of some cattle dips from the region, adding that the local residents were angry and blamed them for mismanagement yet it was a process which involves so many stakeholders.
He decried the slow response from the department who normally take long time in responding to their queries whenever there was a challenge in the cattle dips from the grassroots.
By Benson Kelio and Christopher Kiprop
