Kwale: Kwale governor Fatuma Achani has launched a goat distribution programme as part of an empowerment scheme aimed at transforming livestock farming in the coastal county. The devolved government is rolling out the programme with support from the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) and Kenya Marine Fisheries Socio-Economic Development (KEMFSED) project.
According to Kenya News Agency, the FLLoCA programme in Kenya is a nationwide initiative focused on building climate resilience and strengthening the capacity of both national and county governments to manage climate risks. The KEMFSED project is implemented by the State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries with support from the World Bank, running from 2020 to 2025 with funding worth Sh.10 billion. The project is being implemented in the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, and Lamu to improve livelihood activities in coastal communities.
The donor-funded programme aims at expanding access to livelihood support, food security services, and grants for poor and vulnerable households and businesses, contributing to the overall socio-economic development of the coastal counties. This project, supported by KEMFSED and FLLoCA, aims to improve household incomes, nutrition, and resilience against climate change as the gala goat breed is known for its high yield in milk and meat production.
The county and the development partners have been distributing dairy cows and gala goats to local small-scale farmers to boost milk production. Governor Achani emphasized that the distribution of dairy cows and hardy gala goats is central to boosting the milk income for local farmers. She noted that the hybrid dairy cows and gala goats’ donation is one of the agriculture value chain programmes aimed at increasing ‘productivity and profitability’.
Governor Achani highlighted that the programmes are designed to address poverty in arid and semi-arid parts of Kwale and boost the livestock subsector. “These empowerment initiatives seek to improve livestock production, enhance food and nutrition security, and increase farmers’ incomes,” she said. Achani noted that the devolved government was committed to implementing best practices in livestock breeding to enhance the quality of livestock and increase productivity in the region.
The Governor, accompanied by her Deputy Chirema Kombo and County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Roman Shera, was speaking in Ndavaya ward, Kinango sub-county when she distributed 530 highbred gala goats to local farmers. Achani said the highbred goat rearing empowerment scheme has in the past two years given out 5,200 gala goats and 100 dairy cows to livestock keepers spread in 11 administrative wards in Kinango and Lunga Lunga sub-counties.
“The gala goats we are distributing are the best breed that can withstand harsh climatic conditions and they are also good because they will improve our local breeds thus increase both meat and milk production for the livestock keepers in Kwale,” said Achani. The county boss said the initiative was part of her administration’s efforts to make Kwale a leading hub for livestock production in the coastal region.
She added that the initiative would diversify Kwale’s economy, foster entrepreneurship in livestock farming, and create platforms for local markets to thrive for economic viability. County Executive for Agriculture Roman Shera stated that the county government is encouraging the development of dairy cows and goat farming businesses with a focus on improving productivity and profitability for local farmers.
Shera explained that the livestock distribution is part of a broader initiative to support smallholder farmers and increase animal production across the coastal region. He said the department of agriculture and livestock development will closely monitor the livestock’s performance and ensure successful pass-on of the animals. Shera added that the empowerment initiatives are part of a broader strategy to build capacity in rural communities, promote livestock farming, enhance household resilience to challenges like drought and floods, and improve food security and income generation.
Beneficiaries of the empowerment initiatives expressed their gratitude and shared their optimism about the positive changes the interventions would have on their lives. Rocky Kamanza, one of the beneficiaries of the drought-resistant gala goats, expressed his gratitude and support for the initiative. “The county government is already fulfilling its manifesto as gala goats will fetch better market prices compared to our local breeds once they are ready for sale,” said Kamanza.