NAKURU: The Nakuru County County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Leonard Bor, along with local veterinary officers, today visited dairy farmers in Dundori Ward, Bahati Sub-County. The purpose of the visit was to oversee a routine vaccination drive against foot-and-mouth disease, a highly contagious illness that can devastate livestock populations.
According to Kenya News Agency, while the vaccination campaign is essential for protecting livestock health, some farmers have expressed concerns about its potential impact. These concerns often stem from misinformation and a lack of trust in large-scale vaccination programs, particularly those funded by international organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. To address these concerns, the CECM said it’s crucial to provide accurate information and transparent communication about the benefits of vaccination.
Beyond the vaccination drive, Bor encouraged farmers to join cooperatives, stating that cooperatives can empower farmers by
providing collective bargaining power, access to resources, and opportunities for joint ventures. By working together, farmers can improve their market position and negotiate better prices for their milk.
Additionally, the CECM emphasized the importance of adopting modern agricultural practices. By providing extension services, the county aims to equip farmers with the knowledge and skills needed to increase milk production and improve overall productivity.
Bor noted that the goal of these initiatives is to significantly boost milk production in the county. By increasing milk output to 318 million liters annually, the county hopes to generate over 16 billion shillings in revenue. This would represent a substantial increase from the current 13.9 billion shillings generated from approximately 466,800 cattle.
By addressing farmers’ concerns, promoting cooperative models, and investing in agricultural extension, the county government aims to create a more sustainable and profitable dairy industry for its resid
ents.