By Jane Kirimi and Paul Gichungu
Laikipia County
has experienced an exponential growth in hay production and trade. This is because
of an enabling environment created through interventions by the county
government and the Agricultural Sector Development Support Program (ASDSP).
In May 2015, actors
in the hay value chain registered Laikipia Hay Company Ltd. The private limited
company is now addressing the existing gaps in production, harvesting, storage,
and marketing.
Some of the
services provided by the company include creation of market linkages, sourcing
for livestock inputs, and providing appropriate technologies to farmers.
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| Company Directors on a fact finding mission in Nakuru |
The company in
collaboration with ASDSP and the County government is taking lead to address
two intertwined challenges of hay quality and standard control. This includes
standardizing the size of hay bale, timing of harvesting and post-harvest
handling.
Mr. Eliud
Karani, Chairman, Laikipia Hay Company Ltd noted that through support from
ASDSP, they have been able to help livestock farmers improve their production and
income through provision of quality hay.
The company
has a 20-acre Rhodes grass farm in Sweet Waters, a 15 km distance from Nanyuki
town. The farm serves as a demonstration farm for best practices in hay
farming.
Mr. Karani
said that they have now started buying and bulking hay for marketing within and
outside the County. This will ensure smallholder farmers get a ready market and
stable prices for their hay.
He said that
they are planning to venture into value addition of hay by making blocks
through fortification and blending of nutrients.
“We want to
have Laikipia Hay standardized, packaged, and branded. We have achieved a lot
in less than a year and the future is extremely bright. Hay will be the cash
crop for Laikipia County,” said Mr. Karani.
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