KENYA: Leading Dairy farmers and companies meet to share ideas of farm mechanisation and the newest trends to help farmers from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania boost production

Record ID: 360843

  • Title: KENYA: Leading Dairy farmers and companies meet to share ideas of farm mechanisation and the newest trends to help farmers from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania boost production
  • Date: 10th June 2011
  • Summary: NAIROBI, KENYA (JUNE 09, 2011) (REUTERS) ENTRANCE TO LIVESTOCK BREEDERS SHOW A COW AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE SHOW FARMERS LEADING COWS INTO THE SHOW COMPOUND COWS BEING PARADED AROUND A GRASS RING A MAN TAKING A PHOTO OF THE COWS MORE OF COWS BEING PARADED A WOMAN WATCHING COWS LINED UP POSTER READING: "UNITING REGIONAL LIVESTOCK FARMERS" (SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHN
  • Embargoed: 25th June 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya, Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Industry
  • Reuters ID: LVA51MFNHKDTOQFZEUZZMBRID6PY
  • Story Text: Kenyan farmers and animal breeders turned out in the hundreds for the annual livestock breeding show in Nairobi on Thursday (June 09).
    The event, attended by the leading breeders and producers in East Africa is designed to showcase the latest in mechanised technology for farming and bring producers and buyers together.
    At the centre of the show was a paddock used by owners to parade their cows for prospective buyers.
    John Gethi, General Manager of Kenya's Brookside Dairy said the event was an important chance for farmers from across the region to network with traders from Kenya and abroad.
    "We have thousands of small holders here today and the whole idea about this show is really to put small holders in touch with the best in livestock, the best in animal health products, the best in feed, the best of everything," said Gethi.
    Visitors were given the chance to speak to experts about everything from farming and breeding techniques to market prices.
    "Learning is a good thing and its better for one to come here and see what's happening rather than being told. I have learnt a lot for example how dairy cows are fed, there was a lot to learn," said farmer Mary Washuka.
    Also on display at the show was a wide range of the latest technology including a solar powered milking machine.
    "This is an improvement I see there is a milking machine using solar this is good for farmers outside the grid system and even for those in the grid system the solar will minimise the cost, as the cost of electricity is currently rising," said farmer Simon Bulut.
    Organisers said technologies that ease the load on farmers in East Africa, many of whom run small operations and struggle to meet costs, is always welcomed.
    Kenya is in the midst of a debilitating drought in parts of the country, particularly the north east and loss of livestock and crop yield is a constant concern.
    Livestock owners have started migrating huge distances to reach water sources for their herds. The mass migration of pastoralists with their livestock has in turn led to a shortage of animals in local markets, triggering a price increase and a loss of income for those whose livelihoods depend on the trade.
    All this comes amid warnings from the World Food Programme (WFP) that East Africa is experiencing one of the world's worst food security crises.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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