Nyamira County Governor Amos Nyaribo has launched an ambitious revamped dairy farming campaign in the county to boost milk production in the county.
The governor noted that dairy farming contributes nearly 50 per cent of the country’s GDP.
Addressing farmers at Canaan market in Nyamaiya Ward, Governor Nyaribo said the county has a cattle population of 123,951, with about 70 per cent being indigenous breeds.
He told the farmers that Nyamira produces 22. 4 million litres of milk per year, way below the potential of 240 million litres.
“My administration decided to take decisive action to increase milk production from the current 2 to 3 litres per day produced to 6–10 litres per cow per day by the end of 2026,” he said.
With increased milk production, he said, it is possible to have a milk processing plant in each sub-county.
“We are here today to launch that initiative, which is the use of artificial insemination and castration of inferior bulls,” said Nyaribo.
The governor has revamped the Artificial Insemination (AI) services in the county to boost farmers who want to venture into dairy farming fully.
The AI services will only cost the farmer Sh500 with one free repeat service for farmers in this subsidized program
The county has 20 inseminators spread across the 20 wards in the county and each of them is equipped with a motorcycle and semen from superior bulls.
Besides that, the county is in the process of setting up a farmers’ call centre where they can easily get assistance.
“We have also partnered with DIGICOW, an online service to assist dairy farmers with record keeping and alerts of important dates such as the expected date of calving,” he informed the farmers.
He urged the farmers to download the free DIGICOW App on their Android phones.
In his speech, the governor said they are soon establishing a Livestock Breeding Unit that will link the County Government and farmers to promote the AI program.
The County Chief Executive Member for Agriculture, Alice Manoti, paraded and introduced the recently hired veterinary doctors who will spearhead the revamped AI services in Nyamira.
