Residents of Bungoma County in Kenya are being been encouraged to practice indigenous poultry farming to improve their living standards.
Agriculture Sector Development Support Programme (ASDSP) Coordinator, Vincent Wechabe called on farmers to keep more indigenous chicken and practice agribusiness. This follows the revival of Chwele Poultry Slaughter Factory
The Coordinator observed that many farmers in the county have shied away from keeping poultry for commercial purposes since most of the chickens are consumed by family members. He challenged farmers to rear indigenous chickens acknowledging that it will fetch better returns for the farmers.
“Indigenous chicken has a ready and accessible market compared to the exotic breeds since most hotels now prefer them. If managed well by feeding them properly and keeping them in a clean place, they will fetch better returns for the farmers,” said Wechabe.
Benefits of indigenous poultry farming
He added that over 8,000 chickens will be slaughtered daily in the chicken slaughter house and sold in East and Central Africa. Mr. pointed out the advantages among which he said the indigenous eggs are more nutritious and sell at a higher price saying a tray goes for KSh600 compared to the exotic breeds whose tray of eggs goes for KSh300. These chickens can also produce very good manure which can improve soil fertility thus enabling farmers to harvest more and in so doing sell the surplus and improve their living standards.
“Indigenous chicken has a ready and accessible market compared to the exotic breeds since most hotels now prefer them. Am also urging farmers to farmers to form groups and register them which will in future transform to cooperative societies thus enabling them to sell their produce with ease,” said Wechabe.
