The directorate has implemented and achieved the following:

DAIRY DEVELOPMENT 

1. COUNTY DAIRY HEIFERS PROGRAM

The dairy development program focuses on:

• - Increasing Busia County milk production
• - Availing quality breeds of dairy animals to farmers
• - Improving incomes earned from the dairy enterprise through increased production
• - Promoting commercial fodder production and conservation
• - Empowering women, youths and persons with disability groups.

Busia County has a total of 25,358 dairy cattle. 210,443 are beef cattle but dual purposed for they are also kept for milk production. Currently, Busia produces 27,367,551 litres/year of milk with Nambale, Teso North, Teso South and Butula leading in production respectively.

The County through Development and Ward funds, allocated funds to the directorate to implement “County Dairy Heifers Program.’’ So far, 465 dairy in-calf heifers have been distributed to more than 186 farmers groups  across the seven sub counties, with 247 heifers distributed to farmers in 2019/2020 FY. This showed an improvement in the allocation of resources in Busia County Dairy Sector.

More than 180 heifers issued in the Financial year 2018/2019 are in production with an average production of 8 liters of milk per day. This equates to 549,000 liters per year contributing Ksh 32,940,000 to the economy of Busia County. 247 dairy heifers are expected to contribute additional 753,350 liters/year of milk and ksh 45,201,000/year by end of 2021. 

2. DAIRY PARKS PROGRAM

The directorate is implementing Busia County Dairy Business Hubs by developing two Dairy Parks in Butula and Teso South sub counties.  The project is supported by the World Bank through the Kenya Devolution Support Program.

These targets to increase milk production, avail quality breeds dairy heifers to farmers, and increase value addition for milk and milk products.

3. FODDER PRODUCTION AND CONSERVATION

Busia County has a total of 3832 acres under Napier grass, 150 acres under hay, 342 acres on bracharia and approximately 5000 acres on browse and natural pastures.

The county has been promoting fodder production through issuing fodder seeds or splits to farmers including Napier cuttings, bracharia seeds/splits, Rhodes grass seeds and calliandra seeds. More than 50 farmer groups have benefited from the program.

The directorate issued 7 shredders each per Sub County.

4. DAIRY GOATS PROMOTION

The county through PALWECO program distributed quality dairy goats’ breeds to farmers across the county. This has impacted on dairy goats numbers to 2,544. An increase in production has also been reported

• DAIRY COOPERATIVES

The county has 6 dairy cooperatives.

• POULTRY PROMOTION.

The county has a total 0f 1,449,668 indigenous birds, 31,032 layers, 8,314 broilers and 46,503 other species of birds (ducks, turkeys, geese, and guinea fowl)

The directorate has supported farmer groups with poultry structures construction materials worth 2Million and issued approximately 2600 birds to groups.

The sector has potential to contribute greatly to farmers’ income;however this has been limited by very little allocation of resources to the sector.

• BEE KEEPING

The county has a total of 2,030 Kenya Top Bar Hives (KTBH); 7,550 langstroth hives; 3,331 log hives and 40 box hives. The county produces 82,631 kg/year of honey.

Bukhayo central ward through ward fund has been actively supporting bee farmers. Two groups have benefited with 60 hives and other hives equipment.

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