Mutugi Seth, Friday, September 25, 2015 -

On Friday Meru Governor Peter Munya launched Artificial Insemination and Beekeeping projects as part of the County Government increased investment in Agricultural sector.

Agriculture has been the backbone of the Meru economy for decades thus the desire by the County Government to allocate more resources. The Government initially had bought 15 sahiwal bulls for the beef farmers in the semi -arid areas of the county, a program that has been substantially successful.

Speaking at the launch ceremony that was televised live on a national television Governor Munya said the government has endeavored in creating agricultural wealth in Meru, by targeting several programs in the sector especially the livestock sub - sector.

"The County Government has collaborated with University of Nairobi’ Upper Kabete Veterinary campus in training the hired A.I service providers and procuring high-grade semen from Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Center and Brazil" he added.

The procured semen is from conventional breeds Jersey, Friesians, Guernsey and a new breed called Gir. Gir is an improved breed with average milk production of 3182 kg at 4.5% fat.

The Agriculture Executive Jenaro Quantai said the renovated Kinoru Livestock Resource Center will serve as the County Coordination Centre for the programs.

The County will also improve beekeeping through use of 90 groups (2 per ward) as demonstration groups so that they become learning centers in their region, sensitizing communities on the need to apply bee repellant agrochemicals so that bee populations are not reduced, Federating all the beekeeping groups so that their hive products are bulked for value addition and ease marketing and establishing a honey refinery in the county in future.

The Governor urged the farmers to embrace and support these two projects alongside others that the government has initiated to improve the agriculture sector.