Smallholder dairy farmers in Western Kenya are increasingly gaining access to affordable artificial insemination (AI) services as counties partner with Farm Input Promotions (FIPS) Africa to improve livestock productivity and household incomes.
Kakamega County has rolled out a subsidised AI programme in collaboration with FIPS Africa, allowing farmers to access conventional semen services at Ksh700.
The initiative is being implemented through county extension officers and licensed private veterinary providers in all wards, with support from the Kenya Animal Genetic Resource Centre (KAGRC) and the Kakamega County Development Corporation (KDDC).
County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives Mophat Mandela said the programme supports the county’s broader agricultural development agenda by improving service delivery and strengthening dairy farming at the household level.
Besides AI services, farmers enrolled in the programme are also receiving training on animal husbandry, fodder production and dairy management practices aimed at increasing milk yields and profitability.
The programme’s expansion is now under discussion in neighbouring Bungoma County, where county officials and FIPS Africa representatives recently held talks on improving access to livestock extension services and affordable AI for farmers.
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The Bungoma delegation was led by Agriculture, Livestock, Irrigation, Fisheries and Cooperative Development CECM Eng. Herbert Wanjala Kibunguchy, alongside Chief Officer for Livestock and Fisheries Edward Makhandia, the county AI lead and senior ministry officials. FIPS Africa was represented by Western Kenya Programmes Team Leader Vincent Oyondi and Dairy Technical Lead Bainito Odari.
According to the discussions, the proposed partnership seeks to boost AI uptake and improve livestock productivity among smallholder farmers.
FIPS Africa says the subsidised AI programme is currently being implemented in Kakamega, Busia and Bungoma counties in collaboration with county animal health officers and private veterinary providers.
The organisation’s Village Based Advisors (VBAs) are also supporting farmers with access to livestock health products, including acaricides, dewormers and mineral supplements, while promoting fodder production to improve cattle nutrition.
Data from the programme indicates that milk production among participating farmers in parts of Western Kenya has risen from an average of 0.5 litres per cow per day to between two and four litres.
In Bungoma County, more than 3,600 AI services have so far been conducted under the programme, leading to the birth of over 700 calves, according to FIPS Africa.
The organisation operates a network of more than 3,300 self-employed VBAs across Kenya, working with county governments, the Ministry of Agriculture, research institutions and non-governmental organisations to support smallholder farming and agribusiness development.
By Benedict Aoya
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