Kisii Governor James Ongwae has said his government will improve extension services in the livestock sub-sector to enhance and boost production.
Speaking on Friday at Gusii Stadium when he was addressing the public in the on-going Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) southern Kenya branch, Ongwae said more officers and equipment would be increased to help farmers with extension services to help them understand the practice.
He also said the officers will be given uniforms to enable farmers identify them easily.
“The livestock sub-sector is an important contributor to food and nutrition security and income generation in the region. It employs 40 per cent of the agricultural labor force. Income generated annually from sale of livestock-based commodities such as milk, beef, poultry meat, eggs, hides and skins is over Sh8 billion,” he noted.
Mr Ongwae added, “To improve animal health, we have mainstreamed veterinary services in our operations particularly disease surveillance and control, meat inspection and artificial insemination. We will employ more extension officers to help in educating farmers on how to carry out their livestock farming.”
He revealed they have put aside Sh40million in the livestock sub-sector in the 2015/2016 financial year for installation of milk cooling plants to minimise post-harvest losses, provision of improved local chicken to vulnerable groups, purchase of veterinary equipment and purchase of artificial insemination kits.
Ongwae said they are slated to step up the artificial insemination (AI) programme so that farmers can access subsidised services to increase production and improve quality of dairy animals.