Baringo, Kenya - Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and MSMEs Development, Simon Chelugui, has called on Baringo residents to participate in the country's inaugural feedlot program aimed at enhancing livestock productivity and improving livelihoods. During a county dissemination forum for the Fourth Medium Term Plan 2023-2027 at the Kenya School of Government, Baringo Campus, Chelugui highlighted the benefits of joining the Olmarai Livestock Cooperative Society, which will oversee the pilot project in Mogotio Sub County.

According to Kenya News Agency, the State Department of Cooperatives is collaborating with ten other ministries to raise 15,000 hybrid bulls, aiming to increase the production of high-quality beef and leather for both domestic and international markets. He urged local farmers to register with the cooperative, mentioning that an initial investment of KES 1,000 for registration and KES 5,000 for shares would position them to benefit from this national government initiative.

The remarks followed a week-long community sensitization and membership recruitment drive across seven sub-counties in Baringo, as detailed by Chelugui. He announced plans to establish additional feedlots in three to four locations within the county and shared that 600 bulls, 200 he-goats, and 200 rams have already been procured to kickstart the livestock improvement program.

Furthermore, the Cabinet Secretary reiterated the government's commitment to bolstering the dairy sector through a new initiative named 'one farmer, one dairy cow', designed to enhance milk production and provide additional income to rural households. This program, in partnership with the European Union, will organize farmers into cooperatives.

Governor Benjamin Cheboi praised the feedlots program, noting its potential to significantly enhance the meat value chain in the pastoralist county. He emphasized the county’s substantial livestock numbers, with over 1 million cattle, sheep, and goats, which could significantly contribute to the local economy and residents' daily lives if properly supported.

Assistant Commissioner for Cooperatives Peter Wanjohi, who led the sensitization campaign, stated that the project is scheduled to start in the first quarter of the 2024-2025 fiscal year, targeting 5,000 members in Baringo and will provide seed capital for the first lot of 400 cows.