A Look at What Eldoret West has in her Sleeves When it Comes to Dairy Farming

Story drafted on Tuesday, October 16 2012

A walk around Eldoret West area could tell that the people there participate in mixed farming, but so does a report from the ministry of Livestock Development. Eldoret West is a mixed farming livelihood zone covering an area of around 1100 km². Eldoret West is divided into two administrative units, Soy and Turbo divisions. Although Eldoret West is a mixed farming area, livestock rearing plays a bigger role in the district’s food security compared to food crops. Livestock production, particularly milk production, is practiced here.

According to a food security report from the Ministry of Livestock Development, department of livestock production, dairy farming tops in terms of food contribution in Eldoret West’s livestock sector. In fact, dairy farming is the third largest income generating enterprise in the district after, wheat and maize. It contributes a superb twenty five percent of household cash income.

June 2012 estimates by the department of Livestock Production indicate that Eldoret West district has a total cattle herd population of 109,909, the highest in Uasin Gishu County. Dairy cattle reared are mainly crosses (of pure breed cattle and local cattle). Pure breeds are the second most reared dairy cattle followed closely by local cattle.

Eldoret West District Livestock Production Officer (DLPO) Mr. Simon Langat says about 10% of farmers in Eldoret West do large-scale dairy farming making small-scale dairy farming is the most practiced. He further reckons that a majority of households in Eldoret West have at least three dairy cattle.

Livestock production systems have been changing over the years, not just in Eldoret West but the entire Uasin Gishu County. This year, there was a fluctuation in milk production in the district. At the start of the year, milk produce was moderate since pasture was still available. In February and March production saw a slight increase due to utilization of conserved feeds like hay. The months of April to August on the other hand saw reduced milk yields which subsequently led to increased milk prices in the market.

High rainfall this time of the year however promises good milk production, therefore decreased milk prices, since pasture will be readily available. Current estimates for milk production this time of the year are eight liters per household. According to Mr. Langat, flood warnings issued in most parts of the country are expected not to have negative effects to dairy farmers in the area. He in fact reckons it would be better to farmers if rain was to increase since natural pasture would be available.

Cattle feed particularly that from natural pastures are the most readily available in the area. They cover approximately 20000ha of land. Rhodes grass, Napier grass, oats and fodder trees also make up a substantial amount of cattle feed. Because of the long rains usually at this time of the year, natural pasture is expected to last at least up to January 2013.

“Natural pastures can give approximately seven liters of milk per day. That is not enough,” said Mr. Langat. Natural pastures need to have supplements to ensure higher milk yields. “The greatest handicap is that farmers do not supplement cattle feed,” Mr. Langat said.

“The department usually encourages farmers to supplement feeds from natural pastures with fodder that supplies proteins,” he further said.

Apparently cattle feed supplements are readily available in Agro-Vet shops scattered around the area although farmers are encouraged to grow supplement feeds on farm rather than buy commercial feeds which are usually expensive.

One sack of dairy meal goes to around Ksh. 2000. Calf pellets are more expensive. One sack may go for Ksh. 2600 in local Agro-Vet shops.

Feed conservation and utilization of crop residues is inadequate consequently making it harder to access cattle feed. Factors such as seasonality also affects access of cattle feed in the area. During dry seasons, farmers get access to limited amounts of pasture though the government, through the department is encouraging conservation of feed through making of silage and hay.

Established dairy farms such as Chepkoilel University Dairy farm have been helpful in training farmers how to prepare supplement feed for the cattle apart from teaching them how to handle milk and cattle hygiene. 

In efforts to tackle problems facing the dairy farmers, the department usually conducts free field day and demonstrations apart from conducting residential trainings and workshops to farmers. Furthermore, the department also holds forums with farmers where they get to forward their sentiments on trending issues in the sector.

Despite challenges faced, the dairy industry in area is thriving. Uasin Gishu County has a milk production potential of over 3.9 billion, valued in Kenyan shillings. Eldoret West alone has a milk production potential of about half a billion if valued in Kenya shillings, making it the leading district in terms of milk produce for 2011/2012.

Milk produce is usually sold to milk market outlets like New KCC and Brookside. KCC alone accounted for about twenty percent of the milk. Private outlets like Brookside and Molo, among others accounted for about thirty percent of the produce. About fifty percent of the produce was accounted for by licensed mini diaries, shops and small scale mobile traders. The rest of the milk was consumed on farm.

A September report from the Ministry concerned states that “food security in the area is good,” indicating the department is optimistic about food security in Eldoret West since the current long rains promise good returns; however, the department is worried about the ever increasing prices of commercial feeds in the area. Because of this, the department of livestock production has put a number of recommendations apart from trying to intervene. The department promotes the production and conservation of pastures and fodder, and rearing of small stock like dairy goats.

The department has also recommended that the government assist in harmonization of prices of farm inputs.

Note:

This is an unabridged news story done during the author’s internship spell at the Kenya News Agency (KNA). A modified version of the story may have been published under KNA or an associated media firm(s), and if so, the reader is urged to treat this story’s ownership as that of the media firm under which it is published. Thank you.