Meru bets on livestock to boost earnings

The Meru County government is seeking investors to establish leather tannery factories in the county to boost the earnings of farmers in the region.

The county is set to host an international investment conference in June to spur development.

Speaking to the Nation, the County Director for Livestock Development David Kimenchu said the area has the capacity to host two tanneries.

He said Meru has a population of 250,000 beef cattle valued at Sh7.5 billion with more than 10,000 hides and skins produced every month.

The number of dairy livestock is estimated at 180,000 with a value of Sh6.8 billion, producing milk worth Sh3.5 billion annually.

Mr Kimenchu said a small leather tannery requires about 140 hides and skins daily. The county hopes to meet the shortfall by sourcing hides and skins from neighbouring counties.

Mr Kimenchu said Meru County has during the last two years initiated programmes to improve local beef cattle breeds.

"We bought 20 hybrid Sahiwal bulls to improve our local beef animals. Already, 12 calves have been born and we are set to have over 100 improved calves by the end of the year.

"The new breed is fast-growing and bigger in size, therefore giving more value to the farmers," he said, noting that five of the bulls had died as a result of injuries and disease.

He said the county was in the process of importing semen for dual-purpose breeds known as Gir, from Brazil, to improve milk and beef production.

"It is small in size and requires little feeding and is therefore appropriate for semi-arid parts of the county. We are also importing Sahiwal semen to complement the bulls," he said.

DEPLETION OF PASTURE

Mr Kimenchu said the county government has been promoting the commercialisation of grass and fodder production to sustain the growing livestock industry, noting that there was a depletion of pasture as a result of the large livestock population.

"Due to rain failure and population pressure, pasture land is decreasing. We have trained farmers on fodder production and development. We are distributing seeds and have acquired a mower, raker and motorised baler to be hired by fodder and grass farmers," he said.

The county is also partnering with the United States Department of Agriculture through the Land O' Lakes organisation to enhance the production of feeds and marketing of livestock.

Mr Kimenchi said the county administration has also enhanced animal vaccination as well as the construction of livestock markets and hay stores.