Kakamega County strengthens partnership with KAGRC to revitalise dairy farming

Kenya – The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Mr. Mophat Mandela, has held a consultative meeting with the Managing Director of the Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre (KAGRC), Dr. Bernadette Misoi, aimed at revitalizing cattle breeding in Kakamega County through enhanced Artificial Insemination (AI) services.

The meeting reaffirmed the need for strong collaboration between the County Government and KAGRC in advancing dairy productivity; realised through increased milk production to enhance farmers’ incomes.

Central to the discussions was KAGRC’s commitment to ensure the timely supply of high-quality genetic materials, including both conventional and sexed semen, to support the County’s dairy transformation agenda.

A key highlight of the partnership is the expansion of access to sexed bull semen, which will enable farmers to increase the number of female calves within their herds, accelerate herd growth, and improve overall dairy productivity.

This intervention is expected to significantly boost milk production while strengthening the economic resilience of dairy farmers across the County.

The two institutions also agreed to enhance training and capacity building initiatives targeting farmers, AI service providers, and extension officers.

This will promote proper semen handling, improved breeding practices, accurate record-keeping, and better farm management to ensure sustainable dairy development.

Further, the County Government and KAGRC will collaborate in agricultural trade fairs, field days, exhibitions, and agricultural shows to showcase improved dairy technologies, create awareness on the benefits of Artificial insemination, and provide farmers with direct engagement opportunities.

In addition, both parties resolved to review and update the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to align it with the evolving dairy breeding framework, including the integration of the e-Citizen AI subsidy program.

Also present were Chief Officers, Emmanuel Kariuki and Dan Sumba; County Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Christopher Kadenge, among other senior officials.

Kakamega County finds investor to help revive stalled milk factory

In 2024, the stalled milk factory in Malava constituency, Kakamega county, was set to be completed by December following a recent deal between the county government and investor ABF United Company Limited.

The construction of the milk processing plant, initiated by former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya in 2019, had faced delays, but the new agreement aims to breathe life into the project.

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