The County Government of Kirinyaga has empowered local dairy farmers by procuring feed mixers and grinding machines for local manufacturing of livestock food. The feed mixers and single-phased motor machines will help the farmers to produce quality food for their livestock and lower the costs of buying feed. The County has over 60 livestock farmer groups with more than 2,000 members who depend on dairy farming and animal feed production for their livelihoods. In addition to the machines, the County is also giving the farmers the initial raw materials like wheat bran, maize and sunflower seeds as part of the starter kit. The machines include motorized grass cutters, choppers and manual hay balers. The strategy aims to increase milk production and create income for locals who sell milk to dairy cooperatives both in the county and neighboring counties.
Through the Wezesha Kirinyaga program, the County has also helped farmers to increase productivity in different agricultural food chains and doubled their income. Currently, the County Government is also providing Artificial Insemination to improve the breed of dairy cattle and produce more milk. This project aims to produce quality food for the livestock which will improve their immune system and prevent diseases associated with poor nutrition. The farmers' living standards are also targeted to improve with increased income from selling extra milk and feeds to cooperatives and other farmers.
How has your county empowered farmers?