County Government of Laikipia

Livestock production in Laikipia county plays an important role in the social economic and well-being of most communities in the county. It also contributes to the growth of the County's economy as it is a major source of income for the rural households. Introduction of quality livestock breeds and ones that are tolerant to the county's conditions will make a huge impact on the lives of most farmers.

To bridge this gap, the Department of Agriculture, under the breeds improvement program last month distributed 50 superior Galla Bucks to various farmer groups from marginal mixed farming wards of Laikipia County. These wards are Umande, Segera,Nanyuki, Tigithi, Ngobit, Salama, Ol Moran, and Rumuruti.

The objective of the program is to increase food and nutrition security at the household level, provide better market access, and increase income.

During the launch of the Galla bucks distribution in Rumuruti, the Chief Officer Madam Emily Kioko highlighted that the program is keen on improving livestock breeds in Laikipia County. This is through bringing in superior breeds and crossing them with the local breeds to ensure that the livestock wealth is economically viable and competitive.

The County Livestock officers have been regularly training the groups and capacity building them to ensure that they will successfully gain from this program by improving their local breeds and, hence, changing their livelihoods.

The Galla bucks were distributed among 25 women groups. The well-organized and registered groups will also be monitored and trained intensively to ensure that the animals will impact their farms economically.

The County Director of Livestock briefly highlighted the benefits of cross-breeding of the local breeds with the superior adaptable Galla Bucks citing that they have a faster growth rate and can attain a weight of 40-60 Kgs in one year compared to 25-30 kgs of the local breeds.

They are preferred in the market and Galla goats cross breed is disease tolerant and adaptable to Laikipia environments. Besides being mainly for meat breeds, they are also beneficial in milk production.

H.E. First Lady Maria Mbeneka and Chief Officer Department of Agriculture, Madam Emily Kioko, led the distribution exercise on 13th May 2022 in Rumuruti. The County Director of Livestock Pius Butichi and other County Officers were also present.