By Nancy Masit
The Department of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries has embarked on a livestock digital tagging exercise in Narok County.
The exercise will be undertaken under the leadership of Dr Bernard Njathi and Alice Odotte from Lofte Kesho using the modern livestock tag.
The two experts are in Narok to aid the pastoral community advance animal identification and animal traceability.
Lofte Kesho is an integrated FinTech and Agri Tech player founded in 2018 that offers an animal identification and traceability platform.
“In partnership with Infocorp Technologies, Lofte Kesho
has rolled out Farm Trek, a solution that brings inclusive financial services
to the livestock industry,” Dr Njathi.
He said it was targeting emerging markets via its block- chain-based platform
and works with smallholder farmers to unlock financial benefits associated with
their animals.
The company whose headquarters is in Kenya will first pilot the project by tagging about 100 cows for free and then charge others at affordable prices.
The Deputy County Commissioner Mutuku Mwenga lauded the initiative saying it will address persistent cattle theft in Narok.
He asked farmers to embrace the technology quickly so that they can benefit fully because it will also help them identify their animals.
“Farmers will also insure their cattle including dairy cows through an affordable insurance policy and will be compensated if they die,” said Mutuku.