By Bisola Adeyemo
No fewer than 1,000 women in Kajiado County, Kenya have participated in a three months training on poultry farming and kitchen gardens.
The program was organized as part of an effort to create an alternative source of income for women in Kenya due to the impact of drought caused by climate change, KNA said.
According to the County Chief Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Jackeline Koin, the training was necessitated by climate change and reduced land which made livestock farming unsustainable.
“We want the women to have an alternative source of livelihood where they can earn from chicken rearing, kitchen garden and fish farming as livestock farming is proving to be a challenge due to climate change.
“Another factor that has greatly affected livestock keeping is reduced space due to land sale thus keeping large herds of cattle is not beneficial anymore but with chicken rearing, very little space is needed and a farmer can benefit from their eggs and white meat which is healthier,” Koin said.
One of the beneficiaries, Caroline Ntitanian from Lenchani was elated after receiving two chickens from Faraja Elatia Foundation and said that this will change her life as she will no longer depend on her husband for upkeep.
Another Beneficiary from Embolioi, Tabitha Saitoti noted that they have learnt a lot regarding kitchen gardens including the various crops they can plant and how to take care of them for a healthier diet.