Migori county is grappling with a 16 million annual egg deficit, a trend which has failed to be reversed.
Data from county agriculture department shows Migori has 16,140 layers with each layer producing 280 eggs per year while it has 4,084,846 indigenous chicken where each produces 80 eggs per year.
The production is not sufficient as Migori still faces a deficit of 16 million eggs.
“This deficit will be met if we ensure farmers get quality chicks and eggs as we aims at having unregistered farmers and investors establish certified and licensed breeder farms and hatcheries,” Lucas Mosenda, the county agriculture executive said.
Mosenda said to cover the deficit, traders have been forced to import eggs from outside including from Tanzania while Migori has the potential not only to produce, but also to export eggs.
“While we have a lot of potential, the quality and standards of chicks being produced by some farmers are still low,” Mosenda said.
He said unlicensed producers of chicks lead to a decline in the quality hence the move to map out the farmers doing hatching and breeding.
The county in partnership with the national government’s department of veterinary services has been visiting farmers to assess quality of eggs and chicks used for hatching.
“We have started an elaborate programme and ensure they are doing it to the required standards. I am aware that farmers are very interested in the production of eggs and meat,” Mosenda said.
Damaris Mwololo who is a veterinary surgeon from the department of livestock at the national government said farmers in the county needed a lot of training and there was need for extension officers to be closer to the farmers.
“The farmers need information and they don’t know where to get it. The gap needs to be narrowed,” Mwololo said.
Elijah Okore, a project officer from Blue Cross Nyatike said farmers have been producing lower generation eggs and chicks.
“We want the farmers to produce parent stock and not the other generations that are weak and have high mortality rate,” he said.
Margaret Mwabe who is one of the farmers and investors whose farm was visited said she plans to establish a hatchery after being given the requirements and guidelines.
Kakrao poultry farm director Jared Oduongo who operates a hatchery requested the national and county government to help them produce quality and sufficient poultry in the county.
“We have been shown our shortcomings and are ready to do things the right way. I am ready to construct a hatchery at my farm in Oruba Ragana ward in Suna West,” he said.
-Edited by SKanyara