Western: High chicken demand in Kakamega fuels poultry farming

[PHOTO: BENJAMIN SAKWA/STANDARD] KAKAMEGA:

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya (right) gives poultry farmers one-day-old chicks for rearing in Khwisero. The county has spent Sh 22 million on poultry farming. The county has been hit by a shortage of eggs and chickens. Poultry farmers have confirmed there is high demand for eggs and chicken and they are unable to meet the demand. Geoffrey Otinga, a farmer from Lugari sub-county, said the shortage is as a result of few farmers venturing in modern poultry farming. He said most of poultry farmers in the county rear less than 10 chickens for domestic use and the few who rear more chickens are unable to satisfy the ever-increasing market. “It is true we have a shortage of chickens and eggs in the county. Only few people have ventured into modern poultry farming. I have 500 chickens but I am unable to meet even the local market’s demand, which is selling eggs to local customers and hatcheries,” said Otinga.

To address the shortage, the county government has allocated Sh22 million to train and give poultry farmers modified and improved indigenous chicks. Speaking during the launch of the project at Eshivinga Primary School in Khwisero constituency, Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said at least 10,000 households will benefit from the project, which is targeting to boost poultry farming in all the 12 sub-counties.

He said the project will be initiated in two phases, with phase one targeting four sub-counties. He added already, farmers have received their chicks. “Poultry farmers in the county have been focusing on rearing less than 10 chickens for domestic consumption but we want them now to focus on commercial poultry farming,” he said. The governor said the project will be launched at ward level and each ward will produce 10 groups, which will get 100 day old chicks.

 “At least 60,000 day old chicks will be distributed across the county and we target 10,000 households out of 350,000 households in the county,” he said. Livestock Executive Kulati Wangia said the county government will cater for poultry feed, vaccination and other services including marketing to ensure farmers get maximum profit from the venture. “The county government has trained poultry farmers in the county. We are giving them day old chicks in their various groups. We will support them in the whole process of maintaining their chickens,” said Kulati.