Narok governor Samuel Ole Tunai has pledged to make residents reap maximally from livestock farming.
Ole Tunai said livestock farming remains the mainstay for the people.
The county has approximately 1.4million beef cattle, 2.6million sheep and 1.0million goats.
“My administration through the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) prioritises investments in value addition as an enabler for agricultural and livestock food production,” Ole Tunai said Wednesday.
Towards this end, the governor met Mr. Omer Karadeli, an investor from Turkey, who has expressed readiness and interest to invest in a meat processing facility in Narok County.
“We have discussed and signed a memorandum of understanding that will guide us on how well the investor will set up the meat processing and packaging industry in Narok county,” Ole Tunai said.
In the meeting, they also discussed how county residents will benefit from the investment process.
Once the project is actualised it will ensure reduced post-harvest losses.
Weight losses occur during transportation of animals.
This, he said, will be curbed by reducing transportation and trekking distances to slaughter houses which affects the meat quality.
“The immediate impact will be increased livestock farmers’ household incomes, creating wealth and prosperity for our people,” the governor said.
He added that direct and indirect employment and trade opportunities are guaranteed outcomes of the investment.
“In partnership with the Turkey investors, the county procured and operationalized over 20 milk coolers, an investment that has improved food and nutrition security,” he said.
“It has also increased incomes and promoted social inclusion of youth and women in livestock enterprises through agribusiness.”
Others in the meeting were the CECM for Agriculture Evelyne Koiyan, C.O Dr Faith Njoki, Dr. David Mpilei (ag) C.D.L.P, Dr. Bernard Njau A.D.V.S.
