Dairy and poultry farmers in Kisii county have been urged to embrace digital tools for better yields and income. County Agriculture Chief Officer Agnes Choti noted that farmers need technology to link them with experts and markets for their goods. Ms Choti said marketing of goods and products is faster through technology and saves time for farmers to engage in other income generating activities.

“Farmers can sell their farm produce through WhatsApp Groups. I urge farmers to join the groups linked with agricultural extension officers to boost dairy and poultry farming,” Choti noted.

Speaking at Kisii Agricultural Training Centre during a farmers’ field day organised by the county and Unga Farmcare (EA) Limited, she challenged farmers to form savings and credit cooperative society to enable them save, secure loans and expand their farms.

She noted that land in the county was shrinking fast due to the increasing population and urged more farmers to embrace zero grazed dairy farming and poultry to increase their incomes. She appealed to residents to shun sub dividing land into small and uneconomical units and instead build houses in one compound and utilise the rest for farming.

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“There is no need to dot your land with houses some of which are not occupied. That is wasting land for farming,” Choti pointed out.
The county government, noted Ms Choti will give farmers milk coolers to preserve their produce and sell it when prices get better.
She urged farmers to secure markets for milk and eggs in hotels, schools and other institutions. “Animal and poultry feeds are expensive and it is necessary for farmers to sell their produce at right prices to realise profits to sustain their farming,” Choti told the more than 300 farmers.

Ms Choti challenged farmers to involve experts in their farming to increase their yields and profits.
She also appealed to farmers who buy animals from neighbouring counties to have relevant documents and ensure they are not sick.