Kenya seeks improved earnings from improved livestock well being – KBC

Kenya is eying enhanced earnings from the livestock sector by the livestock grasp plan presently being developed by the ministry of agriculture.

Speaking on the Veterinary Workforce Development Conference in Nairobi, Livestock Policy Research and Regulations Director at State Department of Livestock Dr. Christopher Wanga, by the plan, the federal government is eager on increasing veterinary providers throughout the nation to enhance animal well being so as to guarantee entry to wider markets for Kenya’s livestock and livestock merchandise.

“We rely heavily on veterinary services to transform the livestock sector. We have targets to achieve, doubling our milk production, increasing revenue from leather and leather products from the current Ksh 17 billion Ksh 100 billion meeting the international and local demand of our meet and veterinary services are critical in offering disease control, food safety and the diagnostic services for the livestock sector,” stated Dr Wanga.

Official statistics point out that Kenya earned a complete of Ksh 190.5 billion final 12 months from livestock and livestock merchandise which is a progress from Ksh 153.8 billion reported the earlier 12 months. Earnings from cattle, calve, goats and sheep accounted for greater than three quarters of  earnings at Ksh 126.8 billion.

In a bid to additional enhance animal well being, the federal government plans to kick off a nationwide vaccination train concentrating on 22 million cattle and 55 million sheep and goats.

“Outbreaks of foot and mouth disease will never allow our farmers to sell the livestock and livestock products out of this country. Worst still is even Kenyan law does not allow moving sick animals and this is where I want to urge the public to ignore any negative sentiments and focus on developing these livestock resources which require concerted effort from governments, leaders, stakeholders but most importantly animal owners,” stated Dr Wanga.

The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) referred to as for elevated capability constructing for veterinary professionals to assist tackle extension challenges particularly amongst small scale livestock keepers in Africa.

“We are extremely conscious of the importance of having strong veterinary services especially with the young workforce in Africa. WOAH is a standard setting organization for animal health and also for quality of veterinary services and we are fully conscious that not matter if you have good vaccines, good equipment and so on, nothing is possible without the strong workforce in the field,” famous Dr Francois Caya, WOAH Deputy Director.

According to the State Department of Livestock, Kenya presently produces 100 veterinarians and 800 veterinary technicians which non-public sector has been urged to make the most of so as to help the event of livestock sector.

The two day convention brings collectively not less than 175 veterinary professionals from 36 African nations to handle points affecting veterinary workforce improvement within the continent.