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Ibrahim Mwakitawa, a Graduate of Energy and Power Engineering from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University showcase a solar-powered poshomill during the Agricultural Expo held in Bukura, Kakamega County. [Mumo Munuve, Standard]
Livestock farming is an essential aspect of the agricultural sector, contributing significantly to the economy. However, the sector faces various challenges, such as poorly informed farmers, diseases, low productivity, and inadequate markets, among others. To address these challenges, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) organised an agricultural exhibition last week to showcase new technologies and share knowledge with farmers. According to Dr Monica Maichomo Director of the Veterinary Science Research Institute (VSRI) at KALRO Muguga, the exhibition week displayed technologies developed to assist farming communities to produce better, improve their livelihoods and produce safe food for consumption.
Teaching farmers how to control diseases
"As VRI, our mandate is to develop technologies to inform disease control in food producing animals. We have East Coast Fever vaccine to control this endemic disease that affects dairy and beef producers. We are also teaching farmers how to control other diseases like cattle pneumonia, and Contagious Caprine Pleural Pneumonia, a disease that affects small stock such as goats," noted Dr Maichomo.
As the rainy season advances, Dr Maichomo added that there will be a rise in cases of helminths or worms and farmers should deworm their animals to protect them from infection. Dr Moses Olum, the Deputy Director at VSRI noted that the technologies being showcased have taken three to ten years to develop, test and verify before they are availed to farmers.
"We are showcasing Molasses Urea Mineral block, a nutritious mineral block that can be used by dairy farmers to increase milk production and by beef farmers to improve the digestibility of the not so good fodder, especially during the dry season," said Dr Olum. It is important for livestock farmers to attend these exhibitions for the following reasons:
Networking and collaboration
Attending agricultural exhibitions provides farmers with a chance to network and build relationships with other farmers, suppliers, researchers, and policymakers. This networking can lead to new collaborations and partnerships that can help farmers access new markets, financing, and other resources that can help grow their businesses.
Information Sharing
Agricultural exhibitions provide a platform for farmers to share knowledge and best practices with each other. Farmers can learn about successful practices from other regions and apply them to their own farms, improving their production and profitability.
Market opportunities
Agricultural exhibitions provide farmers with a platform to showcase their livestock and products, which can lead to new market opportunities. By interacting with buyers and other stakeholders in the sector, farmers can learn about market trends, demand for certain products, and the prices they can expect to get for their products.
Policy influence
Attending agricultural exhibitions also provides an opportunity for farmers to engage with policymakers and influence policies that affect the sector. Farmers can use these exhibitions to highlight the challenges they face and suggest solutions that can inform policy development and implementation. Dr Olum hinted that they are working on thermal stable poultry, sheep and goats' vaccines which can be used at room temperature without the need for a cold chain or refrigeration.
[The writer is a Veterinary Surgeon and is the Resident Vet at FarmKenya]
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The Standard Group Plc is a multi-media organization
with investments in media platforms spanning newspaper print operations,
television, radio broadcasting, digital and online services. The Standard Group
is recognized as a leading multi-media house in Kenya with a key influence in
matters of national and international interest.
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