Kwale bets big on free cows and goats to boost nutrition

The three are among the 579 livestock keepers who have received free Galla goats and Borana cows from the county government.

The bucks and bulls have been distributed to the local farmers for cross-breeding across the county.

They were distributed to more than nine wards within Kinango, Matuga, Lunga Lunga, Msambweni and Samburu subcounties.

The wards are Tsimba/ Golini, Mackinnon, Mwereni, Ndavaya, Kasemeni, Puma, Samburu, Kinondo, Ukunda and Mkongani.

It is part of the efforts of improving livestock farming, food security and nutrition.

The livestock is of better quality and resilient to drought and diseases.

The hybrid animals, especially goats, can grow up to six feet long and take the shortest time of about six months period to mature.

Kinywe, Mwakama and Kayaa said soon riches will be knocking at their doors. 

"This is wealth, the animals will reproduce within no time and have many of them," they said.

At least each of the lucky farmers was given one animal to help in the cross-breeding.

The beneficiaries are among the farmers who were severely hit by the ongoing drought in the region. 

Kinywe said the Galla goat will assist her in recovering from the losses she incurred.

The farmer said she lost several animals to drought and she is certain that the new breed will stand against the harsh climatic condition.

Kinywe said the hybrid goats will enable the growth of livestock farming and living standards, adding that the quality of the goats is better and attracts good negotiating prices when selling in the market.

"The breed is very fertile and big, it is almost three times the price of other local species. This means more money," she said.

Kayaa, who comes from Mabokoni, said she is looking forward to opening a butchery and do commercial livestock trade.

According to the experts, Galla goats are mainly for meat breeds but they are also good for milk production.

She said the improved livestock breed will help in producing good quality meat, which is best for sale.

Kayaa said once the livestock have multiplied, she will trade some at a good price at the Mwangulu market in Lunga-Lunga where the demand for cows and goats is high. 

The livestock farmer said she will also be allowing neighbours to do crossbreeding with her Galla goats at a fee, which shall assist the growth of her farming and income.

"This breed has brought me a lot of opportunities, meat, milk and sharing the species with colleagues," she said.

Mwakama from Ukunda said that he will take care of the buck to see his livestock breed and number improve.

He said the goats can easily be managed even with a small space of land compared to cows.

Mwakama said he is happy to be among the farmers who received the Galla goats since he wanted to run sustainable livestock farming but didn't know how due to lack of high quality breeds. 

He said his few goats could not reproduce quickly because the local species is vulnerable to disease and harsh climatic conditions.

"The goats we have around are less productive and give birth to inferior offspring which rarely survive," he said.

Mwakama said the new breed is a game changer to livestock farming in Kwale.

Kwale Agriculture  executive Roman Shera said the bucks and bulls will encourage high yields and enhance the socioeconomic growth of the local farmers.

He said since the high breed can withstand harsh climatic conditions, it will provide resilience to poverty and strengthen milk and meat production in all weather. 

Shera urged the farmers to take care of the animals for more benefits and prosperity. 

"These Galla goats and bulls are for cross-breeding for you to improve your livestock breeds, don't slaughter or sell them until they reproduce," he said.

Governor Fatuma Achani said the project is one of the many interventions the county has taken to fight hunger and improve the lives of common citizens.

She said her administration is focused on bettering water, agriculture and health services. 

Achani said the three are key to development, adding that with enough water and good health, farmers will be productive.

"The entire project is meant to harness the effects of drought and improve food security and sustainable livelihoods," she said.

The governor pledged to support more farmers with better livestock breeds for development.

She said her administration is working towards establishing water projects such as Nyalani -Bang'a -Mwangoni Water pipeline in Kinango to serve residents with clean drinking water and support irrigation and livestock farming in Kwale. 

 

(edited by Amol Awuor)