Busia County strikes deal to slash dairy AI costs to Ksh700

• Busia County has partnered with FIPS Africa and the Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre (KAGRC) to provide subsidised artificial insemination services and improve dairy breeds.
• The programme will cut the cost of artificial insemination from Ksh2,000 to Ksh700 and targets more than 2,000 inseminations in Busia.
• Farmers are expected to boost milk production, increase incomes and are being encouraged to join Saccos to access funding and government support.

Busia County Government has secured a partnership with key stakeholders in FIPS Africa, animal husbandry, and the Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre (KAGRC), aimed at producing high yielding, climate resilient, and disease resistant dairy cattle. The initiative will increase milk production through subsidised artificial insemination (AI).

Speaking during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Busia on Monday, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, George Mukok, said the partnership will help farmers breed dairy cows that can resist harsh climatic conditions. It will also reduce the spread of diseases while retaining production through natural breeding.

“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 said.

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Cutting the cost of AI

Mukok revealed that the cost of AI semen will drop from Ksh 2,000 to Ksh 700, an essential move to encourage farmers to take up the service at an affordable price.

“I urge farmers to take advantage of this opportunity to improve milk production. We also want to breed cows that are resistant to diseases and harsh weather conditions,” he said.

He urged farmers to adopt modern upgrades in the dairy sector, noting that these changes will increase income and support growth as a business.

“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.

Better breeds, higher yields

Raymond Kojo, FIPS Africa Partnership and Technical Manager, said the initiative aims to improve dairy productivity by making AI services affordable to farmers. “The partnership has subsidised AI services to Ksh 700 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 said.

Because of the programme, Kojo said, farmers can expect increased quality and quantity of milk, which will raise their income.

“We want farmers whose local cows currently produce between half a litre and one litre of milk daily to increase production to at least five litres. This could earn them a minimum monthly income of Ksh 10,000 and improve their competitiveness in the dairy sector,” he said.

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Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre (KAGRC) representative Lilian Naliaka encouraged farmers to acquire improved breeds with 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,” Naliaka said.

Call to join Saccos

She also emphasised the importance of farmers accessing funds through Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs). “We are also encouraging farmers to join Saccos so they can access grants and other government support programmes,” she said.

Farmers led by Daniel Ayuka said the programme will improve access to quality AI services. He noted that the initiative will increase production and meet demand in Busia. “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.