By Reuben Olita
The national, Busia County Governments and Development partners have teamed up to ensure implementation of the Kenya Livestock Masterplan (KLMP).
Addressing the press today (Wednesday) after a sensitization workshop at Farmview Hotel that brought together all important agencies of governments and other private entities, Mr Michael Gachukia said it’s a big activity that the sector intends to undertake.
Mr Gachukia, the Deputy Director State Department for Livestock based in the Ministry of Agriculture in Nairobi noted that for many years the livestock sector has been looking for data sharing and policy making.
“This policy has to be evidence-based in which case we want to get all information we require for this masterplan to implement the livestock policy that we have developed as a national country,” he said.
He added: ” It’s important that we use a guided fund for people who want to invest in the sector and even for ourselves to ensure that the sector is well guided as we do all our activities production and marketing levels all the way up to trade and consumption levels.”
Gachukia said they have recruited 220 enumerators in Busia County that are going to help them in household livestock data collection, noting that the exercise will run for 15 days starting next week with the countrywide exercise set for completion in June, 2024.
Deputy Governor, H.E Arthur Odera who opened the workshop said the implementation of the Livestock Masterplan will be a key milestone in the country, adding that it will also optimize agriculture.
“Agriculture is the leading contributor in terms of Gross Domestic Product in the country. The sector should help us create employment, which is possible,” the Deputy Governor said.
Busia County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Dr George Mukok said once impleme, the Livestock Masterplan benefit local farmers from evidence- based generated, exuding confidence that the data is going to be scientific.
The CECM said the enumerators are going to collect data and validate for input in the masterplan, noting that the masterplan and data will be domiciled at KALRO to enable anybody access it.
He added that the plan will help the County Government save on resources and it will show one which area suits what economic activity. ” The Masterplan will show favourable areas for engaging in bee keeping at the press of a baton. Data is not complicated as one can access in his or her phone, thus making it easier for our local producers with aim of increasing production by eliminating hunger and putting income in our pockets.”
Dr Mukok urged all farmers to co-operate with the team from the national government in the next four weeks by answering questions posed to them. He assured them that the information they give is confidential as per the Data Protection Act of 2019.
Busia Director Livestock Development, David Mukabane said unemployment in the county is real that saw 400 youths including 100 degree holders apply for a two-weeks job, noting that they gave priority to youthz who reside in their areas of jurisdiction.
Director Irrigation, Dismas Odula said water is key in livestock production and water is life, adding that livestock needs irrigation.
