Nyamira county government has been urged to revive sheep rearing in Nyamira South sub county which collapsed in the early 1990's due to instability in the region.
A renowned veterinary officer from the area Richard Nyamisi has said that in the early 1990's, the area was a leading producer of livestock and the area was famous for Nyamira-lamb- dish.
Nyamisi added that the collapse of other agricultural sub sectors such as pyrethrum and potatoes has nearly crippled the economy of the region.
“The county government can only ensure that farmer get back to major farming by giving them extensive support and showing them the importance of venturing into the business,” he said.
He said that in the early days, many companies in Nairobi fully depended on their sheep for their wool- as the primary ingredient for producing woolen materials and garments.
He added that sheep farming is more economical than dairy cattle because the former consume less compared to the latter.
He said that the current sheep in the market are not pure Merino but a cross breed of other types of sheep.
Nyamisi indicated that for the farmers to revive the pure merino sheep they will require assistance from the government to import them from abroad.
He said that the wool produced by the merino sheep cannot be produced by cross breed sheep since they do not have the capacity.