John Gethi, General manager (GM), Milk Procurement and Extension Services, Brookside Daily Ltd has said the company will spend Sh 19.5 million to sponsor this year Livestock Breeders Show and Sale.
Gethi said the show is part of the program to uplift Kenyan farmers through regular training, provision of farm and animal inputs on credit, guaranteed loans among other benefits designed to empower over 145,000 farmers from across the country to maximize their milk production.
This was during the formal announcement of the show which will be held between June 8th - 10th at the Jamhuri Grounds. He confirmed that experienced local and international livestock judges from Europe and South Africa will grace the event which will be marked with demonstrations and presentations. Farmers will have a privilege to learn how to make silage from fodder during the show.
Said he: “I am happy to observe that this show will exhibit livestock from many counties in this country including Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Likipia, Kiambu and Taita Taveta.” The GM called upon the government to carry out research on daily farmers use of appropriate technology to improve their milk production and related products.
On the raising price of milk and its products the GM said this is an encouragement to the farmers – for them to yearn to have more knowledge on milk production. He pointed out that inflation is affecting both the company and farmers hence a challenge for them to adjust prices accordingly.
Jimmy Brooks , chairman, Livestock Breeders Show and Sale said agriculture remains to be the backbone of Kenyan economy thus the government need to allocate more budgetary funds to the ministry for its potential to be realized.
Brooks said this show will be an opportunity for Kenyan youths to learn how to become livestock entrepreneurs. He said the Kenyan livestock farmers are experiencing high demand of their products than they are able to meet from the rest of Africa and Europe.
He added that this is an opportunity for job creation as livestock farming requires smaller area and low initial capital with corresponding high returns. He said one heifer can sell at Sh 350,000 to South Africa, Zambia, and Namibia which are major importers of Kenyan breeds.
Brooks gave an example of last year when there was a shortage of semen in the country. He said this another open ended business opportunity to be explored by Kenyan livestock farmers.
Rebastian Kariuki, Extension Services manager, Brookside Daily Ltd says the challenges facing agriculture in general and livestock sector in particular is a wake up call to the government to invest in science and technology to enable local farmers navigate through them with success.
The show will bring together livestock stakeholders to share experiences and learn best practices from their colleagues.
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