Livestock farmers in Taita Taveta have received 250 tonnes of animal feed as part of an emergency drought response intervention after they experienced a prolonged dry spell that saw over 40,000 livestock die of hunger across the county.
Presiding over the event held at the National Cereals Produce Board (NCPB) in Voi, Governor Andrew Mwadime stated that the county government, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has continued to implement various climate adaptation and mitigation measures.
The Governor said that livestock has a significant contribution to the county’s economy hence the need for concerted efforts to support it to ensure sustainability.
As part of efforts to catapult the commercialization of livestock production in the county, he also led the distribution of pasture equipment including chaff cutters and fodder shredders as well as the various pasture seed varieties to farmer groups in Voi, Mwatate, Taveta and Taita sub-counties.
Mwadime cited the negative effects of climate change in the agriculture sector and issued a clarion call to farmers to diversify and shift to climate-resilient crops.
The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock, Irrigation and Blue Economy Erickson Kyongo said that 4 tonnes of the distributed pasture seeds is estimated to produce 103,333 bales of hay.
While responding to the fall army worm menace, Kyongo noted that the department has distributed assorted pesticides targeting areas infested by the pests urging the affected farmers to seek extension services for assistance.
Kyongo said that other measures placed to enhance the livestock sector include disease surveillance programs like routine vaccines and artificial insemination services for improved milk production among others.
A total of 47 groups have benefited from the ongoing programme.
By Michael Oduor
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