DNK International By Our Reporter,Siaya.
The Nyalore County Government has launched a three-day livestock distribution programme aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and farmer incomes across the county.
The initiative, spearheaded by Governor James Orengo’s administration through the Department of Agriculture, Food Security, Livestock and Blue Economy, is being overseen by Chief Officer Dr. Elizabeth Adongo. The programme is being implemented in collaboration with the Kenya Livestock Commercialization Project (KelCop).
Speaking during the launch, Dr. Adongo said the programme targets the distribution of high-yield sheep breeds, including exotic Dopper sheep, to farmers to enhance milk and meat production and promote commercialization of livestock farming. She noted that the breeds are well known for their productivity and high commercial value.
The three-day exercise kicked off with the distribution of breeder sheep to farmers in Uyoma and North Sakwa, with other sub-counties scheduled to benefit in the coming days. On the first day, farmers received Dopper sheep primarily for milk production, while the second and third days will focus on breeds for both milk and meat, alongside poultry distribution.
Dr. Adongo thanked KelCop and development partners, led by Kibos breeders, for supporting the project through the provision of both exotic and improved local breeds. She emphasized that the Nyalore administration has placed strong focus on agricultural transformation as a pathway to gainful employment, food security and economic growth.
“We need to modernize our farming processes, make the right decisions and adopt best practices to achieve higher production,” she said, adding that although KelCop supports small-scale production, the lessons and data gathered are critical for long-term planning. “We need the right animals for the right value.”
She also urged farmers to treat livestock gains as economic assets that can be leveraged for support from banks and other commercial institutions. Farmers were encouraged to embrace changing farming methods in line with modern agricultural practices and development trends.
On the first day alone, 37 breeder sheep were distributed to farmers in Uyoma and North Sakwa, a move Dr. Adongo described as a symbolic step toward economic prosperity, with more distributions planned for organized farmer groups across the county.
Highlighting the importance of integrated farming, she called on farmers to take advantage of the ongoing long rains and the County Government’s Smart Farm initiative to maximize yields. The Smart Farm programme provides farmers with training, extension services, improved seeds, fertilizers and guidance on disease control for both crops and livestock, as well as risk management.
The Department of Agriculture further urged farmers not to ignore messages from partners offering subsidized fertilizers and called on the media—the Fourth Estate—to help amplify these messages to ensure farmers fully benefit from available support programmes.
Present during the launch were KelCop County Project Coordinator Dr. Mark Otieno, Director of Veterinary Services Dr. George Otieno, development partners and other key sector stakeholders.
DNK-International
[DNK-International@January 28, 2026]
