How Samburu Herders Successfully Lobby For Funding, Better Veterinary Supplies: "Training Support Groups"

• The farmers were trained on how to maximise livestock production and get better markets for their products
• Over 300 herders benefitted from the training and through their clusters are championing for better animal health care
• They have been able to form caucuses through which they mobilise resources and create reliable linkages with veterinary suppliers and extension officers

Over 300 pastoralist herders have benefited from a training to help them improve value in their ventures and generate more income to transform their livelihoods.

Livestock production in Kenya

This is in a bid to alleviate negative effects posed on livestock production by climate change especially among herding communities.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), over 600 million of the world's poorest households rely significantly on livestock as a key source of income.

The Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) told TUKO.co.ke that to turnaround the story, it commenced a programme that is empowering and building capacity for livestock herders in 10 conservancies spread across Samburu, Laikipia, Isiolo and Marsabit counties.

TUKO.co.ke understands that NRT supports at least 43 community conservancies in Kenya and Uganda.

Suzane Kathure, NRT communications official said that the empowering of herders is being conducted under the program dubbed Ufugaji Bora Mashinani that is also being supported by USAID's Local Works Program.

Herders in Kenya

"The program encompasses a farmer's field school approach (FFS) training targeted at enhancing livestock productivity capacity and developing the livestock value chain in order to increase household income," she explained.

She said that 300 farmers in 10 clusters were targeted in the training that focused on livestock breeding, animal health, nutrition, climate change, livestock markets and leadership and governance.

NRT stated that the training was informed by survey findings of 2021 that revealed that lack of practical skills was standing in the path of herders maximising their profit.

Targeted counties approved the curriculum and training materials used to train the herders that have benefited from the programme.

Pastoralist groups comprising the trainees morphed into groups that are championing for development of livestock value chain through resource mobilisation skills they learnt.

"Trained herders received support in forming groups that were registered with the National Government's Department of Social Services. They participated in planning for resources through linkages with local institutions and leaders," she said.

Samburu herders in Kenya

Laramatak Livestock Group in Sereolipi, Samburu county is one such group that was developed from the initiative in Sera Community Conservancy.

The group worked with Community Driven Development Committee (CDDC) to select veterinary products and equipment like knapsack sprayers, antibiotics, multivitamins and other key medicine to ensure their livestock's health and subsequent high production.

"Through the training and coordination, livestock keepers have been empowered with skills and knowledge that have opened doors for support from other stakeholders," said Alex Lekisaat, the group's chairperson.

NRT Trading's Livestock Director Dr. Wario Sake emphasised on the importance of seeking professional animal health practitioners to ensure their animals get treated in the right way, especially the administration of medicine.

Sake pledged that NRT will continue to support farmers in that front even as the organisation embarked on improving the training curriculum of the Ufugaji Bora Mashinani.

Through the initiative, herders have working groups that have enabled them access better extension services, have better linkages with suppliers and access better veterinary services.