In a move aimed at enhancing milk production and improving livelihoods, the Kwale County Government has distributed 30 hybrid dairy cows and 144 hardy gala goats to small-scale farmers.
The livestock distribution is part of a broader dairy development initiative supported by the Kenya Marine Fisheries Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project. The Ksh10 billion project, running from 2020 to 2025, is spearheaded by the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries with funding from the World Bank. It is being implemented in the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, and Lamu.
Each beneficiary farmer received a dairy cow, personal protective equipment (PPE), vaccines, feed supplements, starter feed packs, grass seeds, and sexed semen to support breeding efforts.
Governor Fatuma Achani, who presided over the distribution ceremony in Mafisini, Msambweni Sub-County, emphasized that the initiative seeks to uplift smallholder farmers through improved milk yields and better household nutrition.
“This is a long-term strategy to increase food and nutrition security with the help of dairy products,” Governor Achani said.
She noted that the county has consistently supported local farmers with veterinary and agricultural extension services. According to the Governor, the donation of hybrid dairy cows and gala goats is part of a broader agricultural value chain programme intended to boost productivity and profitability in the region.
“The partnership with KEMFSED is a deliberate drive towards diversifying the economy and its commitment to long-term sustainability in food security as well as adding value and enhancing efficiency in the local dairy sector,” she added.
Governor Achani revealed that since the launch of the KEMFSED programme, over 100 dairy cows and more than 5,200 dairy goats have been distributed to households in Kwale County. The introduction of high-yielding gala goats, she said, is expected to significantly boost incomes through increased milk production, breeding, and eventual sales.
“The partnership between Kwale and KEMFSED is committed to strengthening the livestock and animal health sub-sectors to achieve milk self-sufficiency, improve farmers’ welfare, and ensure the availability of fresh milk for the people,” she said.
According to Achani, the hybrid cows have a daily milk production capacity of up to 12 litres, a substantial improvement over local breeds.
Accompanied by County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture and Livestock, Roman Shera, the governor urged beneficiaries to take proper care of the animals, highlighting the project’s pass-on model meant to benefit other farmers in the future.
“The programme is not just about distributing animals but about creating a sustainable cycle of agricultural development that empowers local communities,” she said.
She further stated that the Department of Agriculture and Livestock Development would closely monitor the animals’ performance and ensure the success of the pass-on initiative. Training for livestock farmers across all 30 administrative wards is also underway, covering herd management, feeding, artificial insemination, milk cycles, and calving.
