The Minister for Livestock Development has urged farmers to adopt value addition strategy in farming to enhance capacity in production to curb food insecurity. Speaking during the farmers field day in Kikuyu constituency, the Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Livestock Development, Danson Mwazo, said that by adopting the model, especially in Dairy and livestock production, farmers will be able to realize more profits as they increase job opportunities to the rural community. “Value addition through the establishment of cottage industry will enhance your incomes and create more job opportunities and benefits to the rural community,” said Mwazo. Mwazo said the Government has embraced value addition system by providing incentives for establishment of Agro industries in rural areas, focusing research on value addition in processing, storage and packaging of farm produce and supporting development of infrastructure services while building capacity in farmers. Noting that the Government introduced tariff incentives and importation of yellow maize to stabilise the prices of animal feeds, He urged the manufactures to explore other alternatives in the use of raw materials to avoid the competition that exists between animal feeds and cereals for human consumption. “Without addressing the prices of inputs, supply products will be reduced and prices will remain high, Feed farmers should reconsider other alternatives that do not compete with cereals used by humans,” he said. He also said: “ The Ministry through the expansion of the strategic grain reserve into the Strategic food reserve will ensure inclusion of dairy products to improve livelihoods and promote livestock off take.” “This is a development policy to ensure stable supply of livestock products such as Milk and meat to ensure increased income and support of livestock based livelihoods. This will address shortages experienced during dry spells,” he added On his part the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Director, Ephraim Mukisira told farmers to adopt new technological transfer systems to foster development in the agriculture sector while at the same time called on the government to make the Framers day an annual event to educate farmers on the new technologies. “Even if we cry, events like these ones if not there, we will continue suffering from hunger and the high inflationary rates. Such events should be made an annual activity to make the farmers aware of the new technologies,” he said. Mukisira reiterated that farmers field days are important for farmers and the stakeholders as they create a platform for learning and interaction with farmers adding that formation of such events across the country will enhance dissemination of crucial information to farmers. “Such events should be replicated across the other counties to ensure farmers learn about a wide range of new technologies and skills necessary for increasing their productivity,” said Mukisira. The field day is a pre-event for the forthcoming world’s food day scheduled for 14th of October.
