Towards Livestock Feed Commercialization in Makueni.
Over 500 dairy farmers of Kitise Farmers Cooperative Society, who are also into large-scale production of hay have received a 4- wheel driven tractor that will boost pasture mechanized farm operations.
Previously, the farmers have been hiring tractor services at high cost rates to complement their existing farm equipment for production.
The donation is part of the livestock feed commercialization project which is being funded by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) through Business Initiatives for Survival and Eradication of Poverty (BISEP) in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development in Makueni.
According to Agriculture Executive Joyce Mutua, the program aims at increasing the feed resource base in Makueni through provision of farm equipment, distribution of pasture seeds and linkages to market. So far, close to 3000 farmers have benefitted from the initiative which is at the pilot phase.
Mutua spoke during the handing over of equipment ceremony on Monday at the Maps Office, and was flanked by officials from FAO and Agriculture and Livestock Chief officers Daniel Ndolo and Dr. Victoria Kyalo respectively.
Other farmer groups also benefited from the equipment donation.
