More dairy Goats for Kerio Valley

Farmers in Kerio Valley belt could soon be cashing from sale of goat milk as the County distributed more dairy goats in Arror, Marakwet West Sub County.

The high breed toggenberg goats, with an ability to yield between 3.8 to five litres of milk per day is expected to earn farmers in the region upto Sh600,000 from 797 goats that have been distributed to farmers in Endo and Arror Wards so far.

Agriculture CEC Edwin Seroney while leading the distribution of 253 goats at Chepkum Primary School asked the residents to focus on farm practices that are not capital and labour intensive in order to improve iron theirhousehold earnings.

“There is a high demand of goat milk in the country. As at now, goat milk retails at a minimum of Sh200 per litre. It can earn you more money beside its nutrition value and its high butter content,” he said.

The dairy goats (toggenberg goats) were distributed across the Ward under the Emergency Locust Response Program (ELRP), a livelihoods rehabilitation program of those affected by desert locust in 2020.

Jeremiah Biwott, County Assembly Agriculture committee chair said it was time for the region to supply milk to other parts of the County.

“We see bodabodas ferrying milk from the highlands throughout the year. It is a high that we capitise on this through goat production,” he said.

Area Member of County Assembly Justin Mutwol thanked the County government for the initiative and asked the residents to take care of the goats, which according to him, would turn around the economy of the area.

“I would like to commend Governor Wisley Rotich for his efforts in ensuring that Kerio Valley is now becoming a production zone away from the past known for consumption,” he said.

Elizabeth Kiptoo, a resident termed the intervention timely.
She said: “This is what we expect as mothers. We have never produced milk enough to feed our children. I am glad that we have been gifted with pasture seeds and sprays.”

Simion Chembili, another resident urged the county government to consider distributing more goats in the area.

Livestock Chief Officer Robert Lagat says farmers had high chances of increasing their herds due to their ability to produce twins.
He said: “Under a good management, goats can produce twins and within a short period, farmers will be able to increase the number of their goats which will translate to more income.”

The farmers were also given farm inputs which included knapsack sprayers, dewormers and pasture seeds.