Nyamira County launches dairy breed improvement programme

KENYA – The county government of Nyamira has unveiled a dairy breed improvement programme of heat synchronization and administering of Artificial Insemination (AI) aimed at increasing milk production.

Governor Amos Nyaribo, who launched the program, stated that there is a severe milk shortage in Nyamira, yet there are at least two dairy cows in almost all the homesteads in the County, an indicator that the majority of dairy farmers in the county have inferior dairy breeds, which fail to produce milk optimally.

He noted that local cows typically yield three to five liters of milk per day, a figure significantly lower than the 20 to 30 liters produced in other regions both within the country and globally.

He attributed this disparity to the lack of adoption of modern superior dairy breeds, explaining that artificial insemination plays a crucial role in introducing stronger, disease-resistant breeds capable of producing higher milk volumes.

Despite efforts to properly care for traditional breeds, he remarked that they have consistently underperformed, leading to frustration among farmers.

To address the challenge, he stated that the county has deployed veterinary doctors who will teach and guide farmers on how to improve their dairy breeds and other best dairy farming practices to maximise yield and enable them to enjoy their farming venture.

“We are committed as a county to ensure improvement of the gene or breeds so that our local dairy breeds can calf superior breeds which produce more milk than their mother cows. When you get a superior dairy breed which is adequately fed and taken care of well, they will automatically improve the quantity of its milk production and enable farmers to be empowered economically and at the same time be food secure,” Governor Nyarobo noted.

The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture Ms. Peris Oroko said they are targeting to inseminate 3000 cows for genetic improvement and so far, 1,512 cows have already been inseminated.

She added that the county has introduced affordable soil testing services to help farmers optimize their land for better crop and forage production.

Additionally, the  Kenya Veterinary Board Director in charge of Compliance and Enforcement Department Dr. Benson Kibore advised farmers to ensure all vets who handle their cattle are licensed and could readily identify themselves so that they curb falling prey to quark vets who mishandle cattle through misdiagnosis leading to spread of diseases and unwarranted premature deaths.

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