Embu to reintroduce artificial insemination Posted by: The People in National September 19, 2013 0 114 Views TheEmbu County government plans to reintroduce artificial insemination services in the upper parts of the county to improve milk production. Governor Nyaga Wambora said his government has set aside money to initiate the insemination services aimed at improving animal breeds. Addressing wananchi at Kigumo in Runyenjes Constituency, Wambora said the project has an immediate target of improving milk production and improving the cows to pure Friesians which are good in milk production. The county has more than 5,000 registered dairy farmers who will directly benefit from the artificial Insemination programme. The programme, when fully implemented, is expected to boost milk production from the current 8,000 litres daily to 12,000 litres. The sector is also envisaged to provide job opportunities for many unemployed youth. Under the programme, Wambora said youth interested in dairy production will be helped to get started. “The county is also set to employ teachers for the early childhood development programme beginning in October this year. He said teachers with diploma certificates will from next month earn Sh15,000 while those with certificates will take home Sh10,000. He said the county government will be in charge of all the ECD centres. Climate change Meanwhile, the country’s food basket could change from parts of North Rift to Kitui and Samburu because of climate change, a report has said. The report ‘Climate change to shift Kenya’s breadbaskets’ warns of a possible geographic shift in maize production in the country. While releasing the report, experts warned that the country’s weather pattern will adversely change between now and 2050. James Kinyangi from Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) said rising temperatures could make maize production impractical in some parts of Rift Valley. He said research has indicated that high temperatures will see yields in the Coast also drop by more than 25 per cent. “The research shows rainfall levels are increasing in arid and semi arid parts of Kenya such as Kitui, Samburu and Isiolo which could allow maize growing,” he said. Kinyangi said the change will be gradual, adding that the affected communities will have time to embrace new farming methods. “As long as we offer farmers the right services and policies now and more options in what they grow and where they grow it, Kenya can make a major transformation in its ability to cope with the changing climate,” he said. He said other cereals especially wheat production will also be affected, with production falling in some parts of Mt Kenya and Mt Elgon and increasing in Central Rift Valley. Kinyangi was speaking at a Naivasha hotel where the report was presented during a National Climate and Agriculture meeting. The chair of the Parliamentary Departmental Committee on Environmental and Natura
Posted on: Tue, 22 Oct 2013 15:37:50 +0000
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