Kirinyaga feeds factory to save poultry farmers from high costs
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru (right in white dust coat) inspecting Kiaga Animal Feeds Production Factory.
What you need to know:
- The feeds will be manufactured at Kiaga Animal Feeds Production Factory and distributed at low prices.
- The initiative is also aimed at shielding farmers from substandard feeds.
- So far, the factory has produced around 13,000 bags.
- Ms Waiguru revealed that there are plans to expand the factory.
Kirinyaga County Government has come to the rescue of poultry farmers who have been facing major challenges in accessing quality and affordable feeds for their chickens.
The high cost of feeds has driven many farmers out of business since they can no longer make profits.
But now Governor Anne Waiguru's administration has come to the rescue of the farmers through manufacturing of the feeds at Kiaga Animal Feeds Production Factory and distributing them at low prices.
Apart from saving farmers from the high cost of production, the initiative is also aimed at shielding them from substandard feeds from unscrupulous dealers which affect the quality of the eggs produced, consequently reducing their marketability.
Eggs project
Recently, Governor Waiguru launched the one million eggs per month project and assured the farmers that they will get subsided feeds to make the project successful.
She said that her administration will provide free feeds to 32 community groups involved in the first phase of the eggs project for the first six months.
Thereafter, the farmers will buy the feeds from the county factory at subsidised prices.
The governor said that the factory’s current daily production capacity of chicken feeds stands at about 220 bags of 70kgs each.
So far, the factory has produced around 13,000 bags.
Expand factory
Ms Waiguru revealed that there are plans to expand the factory in order to produce enough feeds for farmers who will be incorporated in the second phase of the eggs project.
The feeds are a combination of well-blended carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and vitamins with some of the main ingredients being maize and fish.
To ensure the feeds are free from toxins, the factory only uses well-dried ingredients.
The governor noted that farmers and the people working at the factory have been well educated on proper storage, stock management and effective pest control in the feeds.
The factory has enough space to handle all the raw materials as well as the finished products. It also has adequate loading and offloading space.
