How farmers in drylands are using cactus as animal feed

Research student Lucy Ikanya cutting cactus for her research project at Doldol, Laikipia county. The researcher together with a team from JKUAT are undertaking the study to empower farmers. [Jenipher Wachie , Standard]

Every year when the sun got intense and the grass around Doldol in Laikipia started drying up, Josphat Nkiuki Lekuye would panick. As a farmer keeping camels and goats, he knew what it meant. His animals would die one after another, and he would sometimes be forced to sell them at throwaway prices to save himself from losses. It was time for middlemen from big cities such as Nairobi and Nanyuki to start thronging villages in Doldol asking to buy cattle for as little as Sh2,000. 

Dreaded season