By Dorothy Musyoka
Agriculture plays a critical role in Kenya’s economy, prompting significant government investments to support livestock production.
These efforts include introducing modern agricultural risk management tools, livestock insurance, and value chain developments in the dairy, meat, leather, and apiculture sectors.
In a statement released by the government’s spokesperson, Dr. Isaac Mwaura, he highlighted that poverty and vulnerability remain significant challenges for farmers.
To address these issues, the Kenya Kwanza administration is focusing on the agriculture sector to reduce the cost of living, create jobs, and generate income.
“To achieve these goals the government has undertaken various initiatives to make farming profitable with predictable incomes by deploying modern agriculture risk management tools,including crop and livestock insurance schemes and commodity market instruments,” read the statement.
Livestock sector has experienced myriad achievements which include: provided agricultural capacity building and technical support to counties, engaging 1,128 veterinary interns to support livestock production.
Better quality breeds, increased meat and milk production and high yield has been witnessed in the country due to improved animal breeding.
“Improved animal breeding through the establishment of embryo transfer facilities and goat artificial insemination centers, producing approximately 1 million doses of bull semen and 50,000 doses ob buck semen.This has resulted in better breeds,increased meat and milk production, and high yields.Additionally there is income from the export of semen,” read the statement.
Waivers and VAT exemptions on raw materials have stabilized feed prices and improved availability.
To address post-harvest losses, the sector has developed 265 sites for milk cooler installations and provided 200 dairy goats to multiplication centers and elite breeders under the Kenya Livestock Commercialization Project (KELCOP).
To address post harvest losses the sector has developed 265 sites for milk cooler installation and provision of 200 dairy goats to multiplication centers and elite breeders in KELCOP areas.
In an effort to eliminate fake honey from the market, the sector has also advanced the apiculture value chain by training 243 stakeholders, providing 800 beehives and other equipment, and supporting honey processing units.
Furthermore he government has supported 138,679 pastoralists with livestock insurance and covered 503,480 Tropical Livestocks Units(TLUs) under the drive program to enhance resilience.