The success of the Kenya Livestock Commercialization Project (KelCop) in Arid and Semi-Arid areas will spur the economy by not only distributing wealth but also creating jobs in the country.
The Director of Livestock in the State Department of Agriculture Bishar Elmi said 80% percent of the country’s land mass is arid and semi-arid where livestock is a means of livelihood for many people.
The Director who was speaking in Iten said there was ready market for livestock products and especially beef in the country saying the annual demand for beef is 600,000 metric tonnes yet the country produces 450,000 metric tonnes leaving a huge deficit which livestock farmers could exploit.
“The deficit is not only affecting the beef sector but is also being experienced in sheep and goat meat,” he added.
The Director said for the first time, the project which is being funded by IFAD is targeting arid and semi-arid areas in the counties of Marsabit and Samburu.
Its success, the Director said, will help bridge the deficit of livestock products being experienced in the country.
He said Kelcop project aims at linking the production of livestock to the markets which would lead to job creation and income generation.
He said in terms of production, the project was focusing on animal feeds and fodder, animal genetics and disease control which was critical in the production of livestock.
The Ifad Country Director Mariatu Kamara said they were in a joint mission to do a midterm review of the project which was being implemented in 10 counties to know the progress and implementation challenges with a view to strengthening the programme.
She said communities were key in the programme hence the importance of talking to them to know the challenges they were facing and what they wanted improved to ensure that the project continues even after Ifad leaves.
The project is being implemented in Sambirir, Cherangany Chebororwa, Tambach and Soy North wards in the country.
By Alice Wanjiru
