New drive to boost pastoralist incomes
A herder passes with his cows, at a camp in Napitiro, Konyau Division of Pokot North District. PHOTO/ FILE
A strategy to boost livestock production and enhance pastoralists’ earnings in Narok North district has been launched.
The Strategic Emergency Livestock Feeds Reserve, aimed at generating three million bales of hay and Sh60 million annually, was launched on Sunday by Regional Development permanent secretary, Carey Orege, at Suswa.
Mr Orege said the project, which is the largest in the region, will mitigate against adverse effects of drought and alleviate the suffering of livestock farmers.
The project is on a 100-acre fodder farmland but is set to be increased to 1,000 acres in partnership with Keekonyokie Suswa Trust.
“The government, through Ewaso Nyiro South Development Authority (ENSDA), has injected Sh2.7 million for implementation of the programme to livestock farmers in Narok North towards this project,” said Mr Orege.
He added that production and conservation of livestock feeds is an important intervention in ensuring the region, which is the largest beef producer in the country, is able to sustain the population of the livestock and supply of beef products.
“Residents in the region depend on the livestock for their livelihoods, but in the recent past farmers have suffered from prolonged drought and lost over 75 per cent of their stock,” said the PS.
