Laikipia residents have been asked to embrace rearing of chicken instead of goats and cows to deter cattle rustling rampant in the region.
Speaking in Sipili Olmoran ward in Laikipia County, Laikipia Crops and Livestock Officer Elsie Wanja Kigano said the farming enterprises of residents was frequently derailed in the past due to livestock theft.
Kigano expressed confidence that the poultry farming would be beneficial to farmers in the region that has been experiencing extreme weather conditions and drought after farmers received improved chicken from Farming System Kenya (FSK).
She advocated for food and nutrition security. She said that the sweet potato cuttings initially given by FSK together with the chicken will boost nutritional supplements for families.
The livestock officer asked the farmers to diversify maize farming with sweet potatoes.
“We are lucky to have been given free sweet potato vines and improved chicken that is able to survive the extreme weather and climatic conditions of this area. We were used to one type of crop but now we are trying to ensure our people pick up various crops that are in all seasons,” said Kigano.
She also urged the director of FSK to consider give them dairy goats. She said that goat milk was medicinal and added goats do not consume a lot of fodder compared to cows
Kigano also called for tradable volumes and she called for up-scaling of the crops. She also called on farmers to plant unions to be able to lobby for better pay for their produce.
Humphrey Wafula, the director of Farming System Kenya expressed his gratitude to the farmers who promised to take care of the donated chicken and sweet potato cuttings.
“We are here to give Laikipia farmers chicken because there has been rampant livestock theft and we have decided to give them chicken that is least likely to be stolen by the bandits. We have also given high nutritional value sweet potato cuttings to supplement their diet and at the same time improve their sources of income,” said Wafula.
Stephen Nderitu, Ol Moran Livestock and Veterinary Officer, trained the farmers on disease control, housing, management and good feeding.
He urged the farmers to take great care of their chicken saying that the said chicken could be more productive on a small scale and less laborious compared to other livestock rearing.
He called on farmers to always seek veterinary services whenever their chicken showed signs of diseases.
On her part, Millicent Wanjiku, a resident, expressed joy after receiving free chicken. She said that their children will now enjoy a balanced diet and added they shall sell the surplus eggs, chicken and sweet potatoes.
She also asked the County and the National governments to partner with organizations like Farming System Kenya for easier reach to many farmers.
The chicken rearing training had been done prior to the issuance day. Farmers were also asked to vaccinate the chicken after every two months.
