Busia: The Busia County Government is actively collaborating with FIPS Africa and the Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre (KAGRC) to enhance dairy farming through subsidized artificial insemination (AI). This strategic partnership aims to produce high-yielding, climate-resilient, and disease-resistant dairy cattle, ultimately increasing milk production and boosting farmers' incomes.

According to Kenya News Agency, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Busia, where the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, George Mukok, highlighted the benefits of the partnership. Mukok emphasized that the initiative will enable farmers to breed dairy cows capable of withstanding climate change while minimizing the spread of diseases through natural breeding methods.

"We need to reduce disease transmission from bulls. Under this partnership, KAGRC will provide AI semen; FIPS Africa will conduct farmer training and capacity building, while the county government will oversee insemination through its service providers," Mukok stated.

He pointed out that farmers have faced losses due to cows purchased from other regions that struggle to adapt to Busia's climate. The focus of the program will be on improving local breeds already adapted to the area's conditions. Additionally, the cost of AI semen will be reduced from Sh2,000 to Sh700, making it more affordable for farmers.

The CECM urged farmers to seize this opportunity to enhance milk production while also breeding cows resistant to diseases and harsh weather conditions. He encouraged farmers to view dairy farming as a business, noting that shrinking land sizes necessitate a focus on quality over quantity.

"It is better to keep one cow producing 40 litres of milk than 20 cows producing only 10 litres. We are also distributing pasture seeds to help farmers access quality animal feeds," he added.

FIPS Africa Partnership and Technical Manager Raymond Kojo elaborated on the program's goal to improve dairy productivity by making AI services affordable. He stated, "The partnership has subsidized AI services to Sh700 per farmer. We are targeting more than 6,000 inseminations across Busia, Bungoma, and Kakamega counties, with at least 2,000 to be carried out in Busia."

Kojo further explained that the project aims to increase both the quantity and quality of milk produced by local farmers, helping them to achieve a minimum monthly income of Sh10,000 and enhance their competitiveness in the dairy sector.

Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre (KAGRC) representative Lilian Naliaka encouraged farmers to adopt improved breeds for higher milk and meat production. "We want farmers to keep cows that produce more milk and better-quality meat than the traditional breeds. We will introduce improved breeds with higher productivity," she said. Naliaka also mentioned that KAGRC will offer sexed semen to help farmers produce more female calves for dairy farming.

Farmers, led by Daniel Ayuka, expressed concerns over poor access to semen and inadequate cold-chain facilities, which had previously hindered the success rate of artificial insemination. Ayuka noted that the program would improve access to quality semen and reliable AI services, helping farmers replace low-producing cattle with improved breeds.

"I currently produce about 70 litres of milk from nine cows, but demand in Busia remains high. Artificial insemination will help us improve our breeds and significantly increase milk production," he said.