Kirinyaga: Kirinyaga County farmers are set to benefit from a Goat Artificial Insemination (AI) centre launched by President William Ruto during his development tour at Kirinyaga, Wednesday.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Centre, located at Animal Health and Industrial Training Institute (AHITI), Ndomba in Kirinyaga, is the first of its kind in East and Central Africa and brings a radical breakthrough in the County and the country's agricultural sector, especially in goat farming.
During the event, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru expressed gratitude for the transformative initiative, highlighting the positive impact it would have on local farming communities and the wider economy. She noted, 'We are particularly honoured to host the Goat AI Centre at Ndomba, which is not only a great treasure for our County but also a key development milestone for our Country. This Center is a significant step forward in improving goat production and food security in Kirinyaga County.'
Waiguru added that the Centre's role in improving breeding practices is critical to advancing food security and economic stability for local farmers. She further noted the importance of goat farming to the county's agricultural ecosystem, which benefits from both meat and milk production, offering a sustainable source of income and nutrition for many families.
She noted that the Goat AI Center is part of a broader effort to transform the agricultural sector in Kirinyaga, highlighting that the County has trained AI inseminators who assist farmers with timely and efficient services. The Governor emphasized that the County government has been actively sensitizing farmers on the importance of AI in livestock production and making AI services more accessible through subsidies that significantly reduce the cost compared to private sector rates.
The Governor underscored the vast potential of goat products, with demand growing in markets such as hospitals, hotels, restaurants, and local consumers seeking nutritious and healthy products. 'With the right genetic improvements and more efficient farming practices, we can unlock the full potential of goat farming and provide a steady supply of quality products to meet these expanding markets,' she stated.
As part of the ongoing efforts to enhance development in the County, the Governor underscored the importance of collaboration between the County and the National Government, thanking the President for supporting the implementation of various projects. The projects in the County include the construction of 11 ESP markets at various stages of progress, the ongoing establishment of an Export Processing Zone (EPZ), construction of dykes at the Industrial Park, and the creation of the Sagana Trauma Centre, among others.