County turns to tech to counter biting milk shortage

A veterinary officer administers medication to a cow at Kanani village in Nyamira County. [Stanley Ongwae, Standard]

Nyamira County has launched a new initiative to improve the quality of dairy breeds in the region amid a biting milk shortage, with residents now relying on other counties for the crucial commodity.

According to Governor Amos Nyaribo, the county produces around 61,000 litres of milk against a demand of 650,000 litres, a factor he attributed to traditional methods of dairy farming.

Speaking at Esanige in Nyamira North at the launch of the county government-led Artificial Insemination (AI) synchronisation programme, Governor Nyaribo said the county has very few improved dairy breeds that can produce high yields of milk, which explains the county's low milk production.

“It is not a pleasant fact that the milk we produce is very little when we have the capability of exporting to other regions and even outside the country,” said Governor Nyaribo.

Agtriculture Executive Peris Mong’are said Nyamira has the potential to produce up to 240 million litres of milk annually.

She urged farmers to cooperate in the implementation of the AI programme.

Amid rising demand for milk, especially in urban areas, residents now have to rely on supply from neighbouring counties like Kericho, Nandi and Uasin Gishu.

The AI programme is part of the county government's efforts to improve the quality of dairy breeds for improved milk output.

It will see dairy cows induced to ready them for insemination with hybrid semen to gradually improve the quality of breeds in the region up to the third or fourth generations, ensuring farmers have a hybrid or pedigree progeny. 

Farmers will access the services at a subsidised cost of Sh500, down from Sh1,500 previously.

The county has also introduced the village crutch system, where a select population will have a central point of accessing AI services.

The county government has recruited 30 veterinary and animal health experts to implement the project.

Agriculture executive Mr Mong’are said the county has enacted the Livestock Act, which has already started taking effect to streamline the agriculture sub-sector.

“The Act has enabled the County to carry on various interventions that include the establishment of village-based structures that will stabilise services,” he said.