Marsabit pastoralist communities have been urged to embrace modern practices of rearing their livestock to boost production and avoid incurring losses during the dry season.
Marsabit Deputy Governor Solomon Gubo Riwe said climate change has made keeping large numbers of animals unreliable hence there is a need to embrace a modern method that will guarantee high yields.
He noted that over 90 per cent of the county residents are highly dependent on livestock keeping as their only main source of livelihood.
Riwe emphasised that for livestock rearing to be sustained, pastoralists have to adopt a change by having manageable numbers of animals that feed less but yields more in terms of quality and quantity.
"Keeping few numbers of animals guarantees quality and we encourage our people through county initiatives that quality is much better than quantity," he said
He said pasture conservation is also encouraged to ensure that livestock have enough feed during prolonged drought seasons frequently experienced in the county.
Speaking during the launch of the Kenya Livestock Commercialization project at Dub Goba in the Saku sub-county, Deputy Governor urged farmers to sell some of their animals while still healthy to avoid losing to drought.
He said though pastoralism is their only main source of livelihood, frequent drought has posed a serious threat.
He wondered why many people are keeping large numbers of animals when there is a change in climate globally.
"Due to the change of climate, pastoralists communities have always faced inadequate pastures and water for their livestock and this can only be solved by embracing trade," said Deputy Governor
He also encouraged women, youths and people living with disability to form groups in order to benefit from government and Non-governmental organizations, saying it's easier for them to benefit when they are organized in groups.
He asked them to also come together and register companies where they shall be able to apply for tenders.
The deputy governor said 30 per cent of the government tenders are allocated to women, youth and people living with a disability.
He lauded the new agricultural project targeting women, youth and vulnerable groups and challenged the beneficiaries to utilize the project.
The deputy governor called for unity among residents and leaders to ensure the continuous development of the county.
He said their unity was critical for meaningful development and called on everyone to play their respective roles in realizing the development agenda.
The deputy county boss assured that Governor Mohamud-led administration will be open for all and urged leaders and stakeholders not to hesitate to reach out to devolved units on development matters.
He insisted that leaders and residents should be on the same page for the sake of the economic development of the county.
He urged MCAs to work in unity and harmony in order to effectively and efficiently deliver services to the people.
Sagante Jaldesa MCA Amos Wako pledged to work together with Governor Mohamud-led administration for the sake of development.
He said devolution remains one of the benefits gained from the current constitution.
" Campaigns are over and the electorates are banking on us for development projects. Let us work together to formulate a clear roadmap for transforming the county," he said
The CECM Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Hussein Ali Hussein said the Kenya livestock commercialization project is a new project funded jointly by the Government of Kenya and the International Fund for Agricultural Development with the aim of increasing small-scale farmers' incomes and improving opportunities for rural.
Hussein said the project targets four wards in the county and 9120 households with a total number of 41,039 people who will directly benefit from the project.
According to Hussein, they seek to commercialize various value chains including small stock like sheep, goats for meat and milk, indigenous poultry and beekeeping.