Farmers insure their cows against death

Some of the insured dairy farmers at Wafal area in Narok North in Narok.The farmers have embraced insurance to curb deaths caused by diseases and drought. PHOTOS;ROBERT KIPLAGAT

Dairy farmers at Wafal in Narok North sub-county have insured their livestock against death, and to mitigate losses.

Wafal Dairy Farmers patron Hosea Nkoile said the farmers took the decision to avert possible losses in case of diseases, drought or injuries that would lead to death of their livestock.

The dairy farmers' representative said farmers have been losing their livestock due to dry spells and disease outbreak but with insurance, such losses will now be covered.

Nkoile said the farmers have insured 50 Friesian cows with APA Insurance Company where they pay 4 per cent of the livestock value annually.

The farmers' patron said they bought the exotic breeds from Githunguri Co-operative for between Sh150,000 and Sh200,000.

Nkoile said a mature male Friesian weighs up to 590kg while a female weighs 550kg.

He said the dairy cows calving interval was 15 and 18 months, and the age at first calving was after only 18 months.

"We were trained by livestock officers on how to maintain our livestock. The insurance will go a long way in cushioning us against any possible death of our livestock," he said.

Narok North sub-county Livestock Officer Jacinta Wachira called upon all dairy farmers in the region to emulate the example and insure their livestock.

She asked farmers to seek technical advice from livestock officers on how to improve their breeds to get maximum profits.

"Farmers need to be guided on feeding, disease control, milking, production, silage conservation among others so that they can get the best from their animals," she said.

She observed that exotic cattle, which give huge yields to the farmers, consume up to 100 litres of water per day hence the need to harvest water.