Farmers all set for Brookside livestock breeders show

BY Vitalis Kimutai

With a few days to go, hundreds of dairy farmers in Uasin Gishu County are putting finishing touches as they prepare for the Brookside Livestock Breeders Show, which will be held in Nairobi.

The small-scale and large-scale dairy farmers have been meeting as part of the preparation for the unique show. The Brookside Livestock Breeders show, which is co-sponsored by The Standard Group, will be held for three days between June 8 and 10 at the ASK Jamhuri Park Show Grounds, Nairobi.

Daily basis

Hosea Kuto, the chairman of Taragon Dairies Co-operative society in Wareng district is one of the farmers in the region who is looking forward to the planned show.

He says most of the 2,548 farmers who supply their milk to the cooperative on a daily basis are eager to learn from experts and various players in the industry on how to improve their stock and reap maximum benefits from their investments.

"There are many small-scale dairy farmers in the region who want to learn from large scale ones and other stakeholders on developing trends in the industry," Kuto said.

Given that farmers from Countries under the East Africa bloc are also expected to take part in the show, Kuto says the event will be an eye opener for local players who need to exploit opportunities available.

Good platform

"It is going to be a good platform for the dairy farmers to learn how they can expand their investment and reap maximum profit from it," Kuto stated.

Ms Esther Some, a small-scale dairy farmer at Kipkabus said many of the farmers in the region expected to use the opportunity to network with various players and create marketing opportunities.

"We also expect to get the latest genetic development which would help us improve the quality of our stock and milk production, and get maximum profits," she added.

Farming techniques

"Modern feeding regimes is also one of the areas that we expect to learn from the exhibition."

The show, dubbed ‘Uniting Regional Farmers’, will also feature other players in the industry including insurers, veterinarians, financial institutions, industries involved in the manufacture and sale of trucks.

Andrew Limo, a farmer from Burnt Forest said locals have been using traditional farming techniques for a long time, resulting in losses.

"With farms having been subdivided into small portions, most upcoming farmers are keen on adopting zero grazing so that they could get maximum returns and educate their children besides feeding their families," Limo stated.

The show is expected to be one of the biggest agricultural shows in East African region, featuring over 30,000 different participants.

Paraded

He estimated a total of 1,000 livestock would be paraded at the show, ranging from goats, sheep, camel and Boran bulls, as well as chicken.