Meru residents have been urged to fully embrace goat farming for economic prosperity and stability.
A politician cum philanthropist Mr Earnest Kimaita Mkulima said goat farming is very profitable and rewarding to those who embrace it.
Speaking at Kaguma market in Mwangathia, Central Imenti Mkulima said goat milk is currently being sold at a high price of Ksh200 per litre which is capable of changing one’s economic fortunes drastically if produced in high quantities.
He said apart from the lucrative prices, milk also has nutritional value for lactating mothers, babies and terminally ill patients.
“I urge all Kenyans and especially the Meru community to embrace goat farming. It also has medicinal benefits to the terminally ill patients. This is the best and easiest way of improving their living standards,” said Mkulima.
Mkulima donated several vials of pure goat breed semen to Mwangathia Dairy Goat Breeders in a bid to improve quality and milk production.
The group is composed of 4,000 members with 32 small group units all producing about 500 litres of milk per day.
Mkulima urged members to work hard and double their production because there is a ready market for the milk.
He said the demand for goat milk in Kenya is very high and only pure quality breeds can fill the supply vacuum.
“I will continue supporting the group in order for it to achieve it targets because goat milk demand in Kenya is very high while the supply is low. With good leadership the community will inevitably prosper from such projects. A farmer can comfortably earn over Sh 100,000 per month with only three quality pure goat breed.”
“The milk transporters and those offering AI services will also earn from the initiative thus economically transforming the entire community,” said Mkulima.
He said with good management the farmer can comfortably feed and educate his children from goat proceeds and also meet other financial obligations.
Mkulima said the AI services which is a new concept in goat rearing will eliminate inbreeding and improve quality.
“I urge other leaders to support the initiative by donating more goats and looking for the market of its produce. Unity is strength,” he said.
Mkulima urged farmers to observe good husbandry in order to improve production and maximise profits.
Mwangathia Dairy Goat Breeders Chairman Stanley Muthamia lauded Mkulima for the donations saying the initiative will revive goat farming, improve quality and increase production.
He said quality goats are very productive with some breeds giving birth to four kids which can greatly turn around the fortunes of majority of farmers.
