The Barasa na Ufugaji Small Stock Programme aims to help families facing the greatest economic challenges in the county generate income at the household level.
It targets to increase the income of the most vulnerable people in every area, particularly families headed by women, persons with disabilities and youth.
Governor Fernandes Barasa said on Thursday the most vulnerable families will be given five chickens-four hens and one cock- while others will receive four mature goats-three does and one buck.
“Each family receiving chickens will be paired up with a family receiving goats. On exactly the first anniversary of the Barasa na Ufugaji Small Stock Programme, there shall be an exchange between the household that received chickens and those that received goats,” the governor said.
He said families with chicken will give out five mature chickens-four hens and one cock-, while the families with goats will give out four mature goats-three mature does and one buck.
Barasa said the implementation of the programme will also benefit already established farmers and vendors because the county will buy chickens and goats from farmers locally.
He said the county will support poultry farmers in the programme by strategically constructing solar chest freezers across 400 community areas.
This, the governor said, will facilitate poultry farmers’ easy access to Newcastle and fowl pox vaccines, the greatest impediment to poultry production in Kakamega county.
“All the administrators and field officers in the agricultural sector will ensure there is absolute integrity in the process of selecting farmers to join and benefit from the Barasa na Ufugaji Small Stock Programme," he said.
"Bias and any corrupt dealings will be met by stringent measures, including legal action and summary dismissal.”
On Monday, the county chief launched the second phase of the One Cow Initiative, another flagship programme by the county that aims to raise household level income.
Under the programme, the county government buys and distributes dairy cows to selected farmers across the county.
The benefiting farmers then pass on the calves to others.
The programme aims to improve livestock breeds besides raising the amount of milk produced in the county.
Barasa said the county at large has the capacity to end hunger if agriculture thrives.
“This is why I am keen to provide some form of capital to our farmers through distribution of livestock and fish and for those in Saccos, we are supporting them with grants,” he said.
