Baringo County belongs to the arid and semi-arid belt of Kenya and is a territory particularly vulnerable to climatic phenomena, which cause a reduction in the rainfall and flow rate of the rivers, with unpredictable flood peaks and frequent floods.

It is an area mainly devoted to agriculture, which however fails to meet all the needs of the population in terms of income production, and is characterized by the insecurity caused by cattle raids, connected to the traditional form of farming at wild state.

One of the problems that make the food security of the local population complex is the scarce variety of food, in particular the reduced protein intake.

In order to counteract the protein deficiency in local nutrition, the project aims to encourage the development of the dairy goat supply chain. The increase and support for the production of milk, its transformation into derivatives and its dissemination and marketing in the area are envisaged.

Strengthening of the Rabai goat breeding center

The Rabai center was built as part of a previous project and has the potential to become a reference point for the entire area. In fact, today it is the only certified breeding center in the area.

An injection of new garments is expected, 30 to be precise, with the aim of having 80 garments active at the production site by the end of the project.

Although significant work has been done to date, the center lacks some important spaces, such as a place reserved for maternity, the weaning area and an adequate area for adults that can respond to the expected increase in capacity. Interventions will then be carried out on the structure as well as training the staff on veterinary and animal welfare.

Development of breeders’ groups

The selection and training of community para-veterinarians is foreseen for the first line of assistance to animals for routine treatments, to encourage cross breeding and to play the role of sentinels on the territory for any pandemics. Visits will also be promoted between groups of breeders based on the exchange of breeding experiences, to encourage dialogue and the creation of community relations. Finally, the distribution of certified animals to three groups of women is planned to increase the number of dairy goat farmers in the area.

Support to the milk collection and distribution chain

A center for the collection of milk and the sale of derived products will be created in the town of Marigat by renting a place that will be managed by the Rabai Group, already engaged in the activity of breeding goats. Participation in the purchase of equipment and equipment for the center and a start-up fund for the payment of the first months of rent for the premises and to purchase the raw material (milk) to be processed and resold is envisaged.

Research and development in the field of goat breeding

Three trials will be carried out to improve animal fodder, both in terms of quality and costs for producers.

The first concerns the use of Duckweed, a drought-resistant grass with a high protein content, and of Brachiaria, an aquatic plant with remarkable water purification capabilities and control of mosquito reproduction, as alternative methods of forage.

A second line of experimentation is that of the IMO, a mixture of yeasts and beneficial bacteria that have great potential for soils, in the management of decomposition processes and in animal digestive processes.

The third experimentation is carried out in collaboration with the local university of EGERTON and includes a study to verify the possible use of prosopis and acacia pods, plants present in large quantities in the intervention area, in the animal diet.

Finally, a study is planned to improve, at a local level, the genetic heritage of dairy goats.