Women from Matungulu Sub-County, Machakos County have been encouraged to engage in livestock rearing in a bid to improve their living standards.
Addressing members of the public in Nguluni village on Thursday, Matungulu MCA Magdalene Ndawa said livestock production would fetch reasonable income for the women thus improving their livelihoods.
"I encourage all women from Matungulu sub-county especially from this ward to invest in livestock production as it fetches good income," said Ndawa.
Ndawa recommended sheep and goat rearing stating that they were easier to maintain and affordable for those with little capital.
She said the area is also friendly for sheep and goat given that it has lots of shrubs which the women can use to feed the livestock thereby saving on money to purchase commercial feeds.
The MCA said majority of the residents depend on farming though most parts of the region experience adverse weather condition throughout the year hence low yields.
Ndawa said the situation had for a long time promoted poverty in the area with majority of the residents living below a dollar a day thus not being able to lead reasonable livelihoods.
She said if the women diversify in the proposed project, their lives and those of their families would improve adding that sheep and goats are more profitable than farm produce as they breed fast and are easier to maintain.
"Sheep and goats mature very fast. The women can sell the livestock and even slaughter them for commercial meat depending on market demand. Some goats breeds also produce good nutritious milk," said Ndawa.