The livestock sector and its products control 80 percent of the economy of Isiolo County despite the drought and climate change affecting the region.

County Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries executive member Dr Lawrence Mwongera said the sector also employs large numbers of people, supporting the livelihoods of 240,000 residents.

Speaking at the opening of a full-day Drought Resilience Workshop in Isiolo County, Dr Mwongera, also a veterinarian, said that Isiolo County has 149,000 dairy camels that produce milk which is sold to neighboring counties, with Nairobi consuming 75 percent of the milk. .

The CEC also said that many residents have abandoned traditional methods of grazing by forming groups through which they plant, harvest and store fodder for their animals during dry seasons. They sell the surplus fodder to other areas.

“The government of the county of Isiolo has allocated 800 hectares to the agricultural sector and already 10,000 hectares are under fodder, where individuals have settled to plant the commodity only for commercial purposes,” he said.

He said that according to the 2019 census, the county had 1.8 million goats and sheep of which 40% were eaten locally, adding that during the same period there were 370,000 head of cattle and 70,000. chickens.

By Abduba Mamo

drought and climate change Livestock sector