High disease outbreaks, high cost of inputs, poor feed quality and inadequate markets are the key challenges facing poultry farming sector in Nakuru County.
This is according to Nakuru County CECM for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Dr. Immaculate Maina.
In a speech read on her behalf by Livestock Chief Officer Dr.Enos Amuyunzu during poultry value chain stakeholders meeting in Nakuru town convened by Heifer International Kenya, the County is working to address the challenges.
The CECM reiterating the county government’s commitment in partnering with other stakeholders to revamp poultry farming in Nakuru County.
“Poultry plays key importance in income generation, source of employment and improvement human food and nutrition and that is why as a county we are committed towards addressing challenges facing poultry farmers” said Dr.Immaculate.
This even as Poultry Farmers in Nakuru County are set to benefit from partnership between the county government and Heifer International Kenya through Hatching Hope Kenya Project.
The estimated poultry population in Nakuru County is: indigenous chicken 1.5 million, Layers 212,200, broilers 275,900, Turkeys 44,000, Ducks 73,000, Geese 14,500 and improved Kienyeji 18,300.
In 2019, the county produced about 67 million eggs valued at approximately Ksh874 million while chicken meat production was estimated at 825.4 tons while turkeys produced 340.4 tons of meat valued at Ksh.488.8 million.
There are four registered producer organizations with over 100 registered poultry farmer groups.
The County Government of Nakuru in realization of the importance of poultry production, has funded the sub sector in procurement of chicks and incubators and creation of an enabling environment for the entry of stakeholders.