At least 2,000 Gatundu dairy farmers contracted by Brookside have received semen straws to improve their cow breeds and increase milk production.
Brookside general manager in charge of milk procurement and extension services Emmanuel Kabaki said the genetic material is of reputable genomics drawn from the company’s local bull stations and will improve the farmers’ breeds.
Speaking while distributing the semen straws and liquid nitrogen for conservation to Gatundu United Dairy Cooperative Society on Wednesday, Kabaki said that the farmers have already received adequate training on breeding.
“Brookside has been training farmers for the last 10 years on animal breeding and we have taken a step forward to assist our dairy farmers acquire superior breeds with superior genetics for increased milk production. We are distributing the semen straws to all our farmers across the country,” Kabaki said.
The general manager said the firm has hired 12 extension services officers who will be assisting and training farmers on better farming practices to ensure they boost their production.
“We have seen the enthusiasm and interest by our farmers to increase their production and this is the reason we embarked on this initiative to help them improve their breeds. We have experts who will ensure success of this initiative for the benefit of the farmers,” he said.
In Kiambu county, Kabaki said the company collects 100,000 liters of milk per day, adding that the farmers in the region have a capacity to double the production with improved breeds.
Kabaki at the same time revealed that the company has rolled out a training programme for farmers aimed at imparting requisite knowledge and skills of preparing and preserving fodder.
The feed comes in handy during periods of depressed forage availability to ensure that milk production remains optimum year round.
He said farmers suffer losses due to low milk production during dry seasons, adding that preservation of fodder is the only way to cushion them from the dwindled income.
“One of the greatest challenges to the dairy enterprise in our country is seasonality of production caused by vagaries of weather. Proper feeding of cows is a prerequisite for optimum milk production. This is why we are training our farmers on silage preparation,” he said.
Brookside has launched a silage competition for farmers where the winner will get Sh20,000 to encourage farmers to preserve fodder.
Gatundu United Dairy Cooperative Society chairman John Njau said that the semen straws will augment milk production in the region. He said the cooperative has 1,300 members who deliver 10,000 litres of milk per day.
“High breeds are characterised by high production which translates to high proceeds for the farmers. This is a noble initiative that will improve the livelihood of farmers,” Njau said.
Farmers led by Pauline Wambui hailed the project.“Currently, I produce 100 litres of milk per day and I’m projecting the production to rise up to 180 litres in the next two years,” Wambui said.
