Kenya’s Agriculture Ministry is currently developing programmes that aim to increase production and fulfill the food security agenda in the country.
Due to low rainfalls in the past years, many African countries including Kenya have found it hard to boost food production to sustain the citizens.Furthermore, the food situation in the country has been worsened by the novel coronavirus as many have lost their jobs and their means for income.
Given this climate, the Agriculture Ministry has come up with programmes that will help sustain and benefit the community. The programmes seek to grow the small-scale farmer’s income, increase agricultural output and value addition, and boost household food resilience.
Speaking on the project, Peter Munya a correspondent of the Ministry said, “One of the key focuses is to increase food production to tame chronic malnutrition among children under five years. We are putting emphasis not only on food security but also on the production of high quality foods such as eggs, milk and meat.”
The Turkey government has donated a Sh10 million upgraded hatchery, a rearing unit and poultry feed factory in Kakamega.The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) hopes that the donated equipment will help boost and increase the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation’s (KALRO) capacity to produce chicken breeds that turn out up to 14,400 chicks a month.
The set up hatchery at KALRO station has three egg setters, one hatcher, automated brooding cabinets, a stand-by generator, feed mixer and an incinerator. The continuous support from Turkey demonstrates the good relationship between the two countries
Turkish Ambassador Ahmet Cemil Miroğlu said: “I am happy that my country is taking part in a project that promotes sustainable agriculture and livelihoods by employing a model that will improve the living standards of the people.”
“Poultry farming is one of the flagship projects by the county government of Kakamega and this project is a big boost to the county initiatives. Farmers here raise chicken but have a challenge in selling them. We hope that now with this hatchery here, the next phase will be construction of a chicken processing factory,” said the Turkish Ambassador.
