KAKAMEGA COUNTY STRENGTHENS PARTNERSHIP WITH KAGRC TO REVITALIZE DAIRY FARMING

The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Mr. Mophat Mandela, today held a consultative meeting with the Managing Director of the Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre (KAGRC), Dr. Bernadette Misoi, aimed at revitalizing cattle breeding in Kakamega County through enhanced Artificial Insemination (AI) services.

The meeting reaffirmed the need for strong collaboration between the County Government and KAGRC in advancing dairy productivity; realised through increased milk production to enhance farmers’ incomes. Central to the discussions was KAGRC’s commitment to ensure the timely supply of high-quality genetic materials, including both conventional and sexed semen, to support the County’s dairy transformation agenda.

A key highlight of the partnership is the expansion of access to sexed bull semen, which will enable farmers to increase the number of female calves within their herds, accelerate herd growth, and improve overall dairy productivity. This intervention is expected to significantly boost milk production while strengthening the economic resilience of dairy farmers across the County.

The two institutions also agreed to enhance training and capacity building initiatives targeting farmers, AI service providers, and extension officers. This will promote proper semen handling, improved breeding practices, accurate record-keeping, and better farm management to ensure sustainable dairy development.

Further, the County Government and KAGRC will collaborate in agricultural trade fairs, field days, exhibitions, and agricultural shows to showcase improved dairy technologies, create awareness on the benefits of Artificial insemination, and provide farmers with direct engagement opportunities.

In addition, both parties resolved to review and update the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to align it with the evolving dairy breeding framework, including the integration of the e-Citizen AI subsidy program. This move is expected to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accessibility to subsidized breeding services to farmers across all sub-counties.

Also present were Chief Officers, Emmanuel Kariuki and Dan Sumba; County Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Christopher Kadenge, among other senior officials.