Written by Frankline Bwire 2012-04-15 14:35:00 Read 1008 Times

Busia Youth officer Patrick Wanyama examines the incubator received at the Busia polytecnic from the government. Photo/ Frankline Bwire

Poultry production in Busia County is set to improve after the government through the ministry of youth affairs distributed incubators to various polytechnics in the County with the main focus of boosting agri-business. 

According to the Busia Youth officer Patrick Wanyama, the incubator will assist in empowering the people of Busia especially the youth in poultry keeping hence address the growing demand for chicken in the area.

“Poultry rearing is still low in Busia County despite the increasing demand for chicken, but we hope with the equipment the production will be enhanced. This will also help in improving food sustainability and address unemployment cases in the County,” he said, speaking to journalists at the institution. (Read:North Rift farmers encouraged to venture in to fish farming business

Wanyama said the incubator received at the Busia polytechnic is estimated at a cost of Sh 190,000 with a capacity of 528 eggs and can hatch them after 21 days.

He also revealed that plans are in progress to undertake capacity building among the youth in liaison with the ministry of livestock and veterinary production, a move that will seek to empower them on how to handle eggs and chicks after hatching.

“We have realized that there is a serious challenge in egg handling and poultry keeping hence we are in the process of undertaking an empowerment exercise to ensure the poultry farmers get enough tips required for the work,” said the Busia youth officer.

 The deputy manager of Busia polytechnic Henry Egesa said sourcing of eggs from reputable farmers was a serious challenge they were facing in the hatching exercise of chicks using the new acquired equipment. 

 “At least we need to get eggs from reputable farmers to do away with the poultry diseases and to avoid lowering the hatchability of the eggs,” said Egesa.

He however, implored poultry farmers in the County to embrace the utilization of the equipment at the polytechnic by providing eggs for the hatchery exercise to take place.

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