Sh2bn plan to cushion herders against losses
Baringo County produces more than 70 per cent of beef products in the country. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Principal Secretary Khadija Kassachoon said the dry spell had adversely affected the livestock sector
- Baringo County produces more than 70 per cent of beef products in the country
The government has set aside Sh2.4 billion to cushion livestock farmers against losses occasioned by drought.
Out of this amount, Sh300 million will be used to buy livestock that are too weak to survive the drought while the rest will go towards pasture improvement and building hay stores in arid areas. The hay will be sold to farmers at subsidised prices.
The counties targeted include Narok, Kajiado, Wajir and Baringo.
Speaking during the launch of the programme at Loruk in Baringo North Sub-County, Principal Secretary Khadija Kassachoon said the dry spell had adversely affected the livestock sector.
“The government is committed to ensuring that livestock farmers do not incur losses as a result of their animals perishing due to lack of pasture and water,” said Ms Kassachoon.
The launch, held at Loruk Primary School, saw representatives from the Pokot and Ilchamus communities, which have been fighting for water and pasture at Mukutani in Baringo South, share a platform.
Ms Kassachoon urged the two communities to co-exist peacefully.
The PS said the ministry would roll out the livestock off-take programme in collaboration with Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) to “keep at bay unscrupulous traders who have been exploiting farmers”.
“The government, in conjunction with county governments, will continue supporting livestock productivity through initiatives like production of vaccines to control livestock diseases.
“New equipment will also be procured to transform a state of the art bio-secure institution producing high quality vaccines,” said Ms Kassachoon, who was accompanied by Baringo County Deputy Governor Mathews Tuitoek and director of livestock marketing at KMC, Mr Julius Tarus.
EXPAND PROGRAMME
Mr Tuitoek said 62 per cent of the county’s population relies on livestock and urged the national government to increase the expand the programme owing to prolonged drought that has hit the region.
He cited Baringo North, Marigat, Tiaty and Mogotio sub counties as the most affected and warned that the situation could worsen if the dry spell persists.
Baringo County produces more than 70 per cent of beef products in the country.
Farmers in the region rear an estimated three million goats and two million cattle.
