Poultry farmers in Kirinyaga County have benefited from chicken houses with a capacity of 40,000 layers.
The project by the county government and the World Bank through the National Agricultural Rural Inclusive Growth Project seeks to help farmers produce one million eggs worth Sh10 million monthly.
The project has benefited over 1110 households with well-ventilated and shielded modern chicken houses.
According to the Extension Officers, each group will rear 1,250 layers and earn around Sh8000 per month from eggs.
Governor Ann Waiguru, while inspecting some of the houses, stated that chicks would be distributed to the groups this month while the first batch of the eggs will be in six months.
The project will significantly boost egg production in the country, closing the gap of importing eggs from neighboring countries like Uganda.
“Farmers will sell their eggs through Kirinyaga Investment Development Authority (Kida), the county organ responsible for promoting and marketing of the county’s investments. Kida has sourced for markets in public and private institutions and businesses,” she said.
Ms. Waiguru added that the county would market the produce hence guaranteed income to the farmers.
“The poultry project is an alternative income-generating activity aimed at improving the livelihoods of Kirinyaga people mainly through women. The project will enable them to take care of the needs of their families. It will also help them pay school fees for their children,” she said.
