Ruto Imports 15 Bulls and 40 Heifers From Zimbabwe After State Visit
President William Ruto departs for a three-day State Visit to Ghana on April 2, 2024
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President William Ruto has made the decision to import 15 Simmental bulls and 40 heifers from Zimbabwe days after his state visit.
Zimbabwean media reported that Ruto was impressed by the pedigree of the cattle
during the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) where he was the chief guest.
It was revealed that Ruto decided to import the bulls and heifers after touring various stands at the Bulawayo Agricultural Society Show, which ran concurrently with ZITF.
One of the lucky farmers selling the cattle to Ruto has been identified as Obert Chinhamo.
President William Ruto addressing a delegation in Zimbabwe on April 27, 2024
PCS
Chinhamo was among the few farmers who interacted directly with Ruto after he visited his stand
accompanied by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
The importation of cattle to Kenya is seen as a precursor to expanded trade between Kenya and Zimbabwe.
"I have been contacted by a government official from Kenya who stated that the process to export our Simmental breed to that country has been initiated,” Chinhamo told the press.
He added that he had already started selecting the best from his herd to export to Kenya.
Conditions for selection are that the bulls should be ready to mate with the heifers being exported.
Pregnant cows will not be part of the deal since they can develop complications keeping in mind they will be transported using a truck from Zimbabwe to Kenya.
The farmers are working as a team to ensure that President William Ruto receives the best breed possible.
Ruto visited Zimbabwe on Friday, April 26, for a two-day state visit with
Mnangagwa stating that Zimbabwe has a friend in Kenya.
President William Ruto greeting Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa on April 27, 2024.
PC
Gov’t to avail subsidized sexed-semen to boost livestock production - CS Linturi
By Citizen Reporter Published on: November 22, 2023 05:36 (EAT)
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mithika Linturi speaking during a graduation ceremony held at The Ndomba Animal Health and Industry Training Institute in Kirinyaga County on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. PHOTO/COURTESY
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mithika Linturi has announced plans by the government to launch a program that will enable livestock farmers to procure sexed-semen, at affordable prices, by the end of the year.
The CS made the announcement during a graduation ceremony held at Ndomba Animal Health and Industry Training Institute in Kirinyaga County on Wednesday, underscoring that the Kenya Kwanza administration is keen on augmenting the genetic compositions of Kenya's livestock.
"I want to announce that because we are keen on increasing productivity and changing the breeds of our animals, before the close of the year we will be rolling out a program to support our farmers by supplying sexed semen at very subsidised rates," said Linturi who labeled the program a Christmas gift for local farmers.
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Linturi added that he will make an announcement on the same a few days before Christmas detailing where the launch of the program will occur.
"Either on December 22, I will be announcing where the launch will be but our farmers will never again buy this sexed semen at the exorbitant prices they are getting them," he said.
"We committed that we will be able to get it from the market at a cost that is below Ksh.3,000 and that that is what I am currently working on."
When he graced the 8th Annual Dairy Farmers Field Day in June 2023, President William Ruto pledged to lower the cost of sexed semen to Ksh.1,500 by December, further adding that the state had allocated Ksh.400 million for the production of 500,000 batches of artificial semen.
As it stands, sexed semen retails for anything between Ksh.5,000 and Ksh.8,000.
