Nyeri team recommends semen subsidy

The county government has been advised to establish semen storage infrastructure to revive the dairy sector.

A team tasked to come up with measures to revive the sector also wants liquid Nitrogen, subsidised sexed semen and affordable pregnancy tests made accessible to farmers.

The 22-member team set up by Governor Nderitu Gachagaua to revive the ailing dairy sector also wants funds set aside to train personnel to administer artificial insemination (AI).

The team, made up of representatives from dairy co-operatives and private dairy companies, delivered its report to Agriculture Executive Robert Thuo yesterday.

“The county government should focus on building the capacity of AI providers, and training farmers on breeding, record keeping, heat and pregnancy detection,” reads the report in part.

The team, led by Muchiri Wanjohi, also recommended the government should set aside funds to train personnel to administer artificial insemination.

“Nyeri county government should establish donor cows to make embryos cheaper. One donor cow can give about 10 embryos per flushing every two months,” said Mr Wanjohi.

The team wants the dairy farmers to establish strategic feed reserves, and harvest and recycle water where possible.

“The cost of procured feeds can be lowered if the farmers can set up their own bulk feeds storage ahead of the dry spells, which often affect milk production,” the report stated.

At least 39 cattle dips will be rehabilitated and operationalised if the team’s recommendations are implemented.

CATTLE DIPS

Of the 39 cattle dips, 11 will be in Kieni East, eight in Kieni West, 10 in  Mathira sub-county and five in Tetu.

Cattle dip management committees will also be revived in efforts to curb the spread of animal diseases in the county.

Mr Thuo said the county had procured Sh6 million worth of vaccines of which 87,230 doses were used to control foot and mouth, and lumpy skin disease in cattle.

“The milk production per animal in the county dairy sub-sector has remained low at about 1,500 to 2,000 litres per year,” Thuo said.