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Uasin Gishu County has become the first devolved unit in Kenya to pilot an e-voucher-based animal vaccination program.
During the rollout of a major agricultural initiative in Uasin Gishu County, Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Paul Rono praised the county's alignment with the national government’s economic transformation and food security agenda. The program includes a subsidized Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination drive, reducing the cost from Ksh 150 to Ksh 17 per animal, targeting 20,000 animals and supported by Ksh 2.7 million in funding through the Tuiyotich Cooperative. It introduces digital animal IDs and automated payments via Safaricom to enhance transparency.
Dr. Rono also promoted the expansion of coffee farming, adoption of JUNCAO grass (a high-yield, protein-rich fodder), and the use of artificial insemination (AI) services to improve milk yields. He emphasized regulation in agriculture, such as verifying pesticides and eliminating unauthorized products, and directed that all agricultural extension officers operating motorcycles must have valid licenses.
Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii highlighted the county’s efforts to empower farmers with technology-driven solutions, including the distribution of 21 motorcycles to agricultural officers and 133,000 coffee seedlings to farmers The Governor also disbursed cheques worth Ksh 2.42 million to Sugutek Farmers’ Cooperative Society (FCS) and Ksh 2.64 million to Tuiyotich FCS to support the cooperatives.
Additionally, 28 JUNCAO grass demonstration plots will be established to boost dairy production. Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea and BETA Implementation Team Head Augustine Choge confirmed that systems like e-vouchers and cattle registration are already operational, encouraging farmers to seize these transformative opportunities.
KBC News www.kbc.co.ke
