Livestock farmers in Kiambu East District are
diversifying into crop production for lack of available markets for the
animals.
District Livestock Production Officer Mr Patrick
Munyua told KNA that farmers were confronted with numerous challenges accessing
ready markets, and many were now taking up crop farming so as to cushion their
families from the prevailing harsh economic times.
Speaking in his office, Mr. Munyua expressed
concern that livestock production was increasingly being overtaken by coffee
farming as it is a better option than the former.
“There are no available markets and no market
policies to protect the interest of the farmers”. Mr. Munyua said, adding that
this has also discouraged most farmers who had decreased the number of their
animals opting for coffee farming.
Mr. Munyua revealed that the ministry of
livestock had been overwhelmed by the many complaints forwarded to them by the
farmers regarding the unfavorable market conditions in the area.
The official also observed that in the past, the
public cattle dips where dairy farmers would take their animals for routine
spraying have collapsed thus exposing cattle to diseases and eventual deaths.
He also cited the high cost of production in the
sub sector as frustrating livestock and poultry farmers, adding that the
government should come up with urgent interventions to enhance their
activities.
Mr. Munyua also decried inadequate services such
as Artificial Insemination (A.I) among a myriad of challenges which threatened
the development of the sub sector.
The official at the same time urged the farmers
in the county to increase Livestock farming production by embracing modern
technology, in addition to seeking more extension services from the relevant
officers, saying that they were always resourceful and ready to support them.
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