The Kenya Livestock Marketing Council has called on the government to come up with a marshal plan that will address the recurring drought threatening residents.
The council chairman Dubat Amey said the government has for a long time been reactive instead of being proactive when handling drought, a trend that needs to change.
Amey spoke on Monday in his Garissa office.
“We don’t want to be reacting when there is drought. We want a marshal plan for the pastoralists. Animals feed and hay can be purchased and stored like other cereals,” Amey said.
“We must have a national strategic reserve for hay and animal feeds so that when there is drought, farmers can buy hay and animal feeds. We don't want to be helped every time there is drought.”
Amey said in Mongolia where a majority of residents practice livestock farming, has experienced snow for six months and during that period, they have kept strategic feed reserves for their animals.
Mongolia in East Asia has a long tradition of keeping livestock.
Its pastoral production system dates back at least 1,000 years.
It is home to 43 million head of livestock, consisting of goats, sheep, horses, cattle, and camels.
“The country has more animals than we do but they don't suffer as we do. They have put in place mechanisms that ensure they have feeds that last through that period,” Amey said.
