By Dennis Bett
Dairy farmers in Kapchemutwa Ward in Iten, Keiyo North Sub- County have received 33 high quality heifers to boost milk production in the county.
It is expected that the Friesian and Ayrshire breed heifers will increase the average milk production from three to seven litres.
The County Chief Officer for Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, Dr. Benson Kibore, said they will go for top grade heifers from an area that has a potential for higher milk production.
He added that genetics plays a huge role in milk production and after sorting out the issue through high performance heifers all other required needs will fall into place to increase in milk production.
“As we move forward, we will advise our farmers appropriately and deliver the right technical information so that we are able to achieve the seven litres average per family,” said Kibore.
He noted that by reaching the average milk production per household, the living standards and livelihoods of the families will also be uplifted.
“Currently we are doing 170,000 litres per day as a County and we intend to move the number up to 200,000 litres per day in a short period of time,” he added.
He said cattle delivered to the farmers were vaccinated against the East Coast Fever because the County had established that the disease is prevalent in the area.
“We lose Sh300 million each year to this disease and there is need of protecting the new genetic pool, hence the cattle have been vaccinated before giving them to the farmers.
Kibore said they also asked the County to hire more extension officers who will teach farmers on how to make dairy feeds.
They will also invest in a laboratory to help in testing for aflatoxin and to ensure the quality of milk produced is of high quality.
