KENYA – Murang’a County has rolled out a Sh300 million plan to rejuvenate its dairy industry.
The initiative will see breeders in the county access subsidised Artificial Insemination (AI) services as well as gain from a fodder farming programme.
Governor Mwangi wa Iria said breeders who would avail their heifers in the county AI crushes will be charged a cost sharing fee of Sh500 whereas those who will opt to call in veterinary practitioners will pay Sh600.
Mr Mwangi said the dairy business in the county can make Sh20 billion annually and help raise at least Sh2 billion for the unit as taxes.
The unit has since procured 50 motorbikes to be used by county veterinarians to help implement the programme.
DEMONSTRATION FARM
A further Sh141 million will be used to establish a pedigree breeds’ demonstration farm in the county where farmers will be procuring quality heifers.
In the farm, he added, there will be prize bulls that will be used for extraction of semen.
“In its entirety, the programme will consume Sh300 million, half the amount being for recurrent expenditure whereas the balance will cover improvement and backup expenditures,” he said.
Mr Mwangi said the plan is expected to curb inbreeding and use of low quality bulls that among other factors have contributed to a 40 per cent loss of earnings.
September 21, 2014; http://www.nation.co.ke/business/Muranga-rolls-out-Sh300m-plan-to-revamp-dairy-sector/-/996/2460920/-/nv9s1dz/-/index.html
