FAO project to empower over 2,000 youth in livestock feed production in Makueni

By Benson Ltamely

More than 2,000 youth across Makueni County are poised to benefit from a five-year project that aims to improve livestock feed production through sustainable fodder production, agribusiness and commercialisation of livestock feeds.

The project, dubbed Creating Shared Value in the Livestock Sector with Young People in Kenya’s ASALs (CASHA), will be initiated by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with Makueni County and 14 other counties in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).

While meeting the FAO team on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Makueni County Deputy Governor, Lucy Mulili lauded the project as able to enhance farmer incomes, create jobs for youth and women, and contribute to food and nutrition security in the county.

She also reiterated the critical role livestock plays in the livelihoods of Makueni households noting that the project will also integrate climate-smart practices to build resilience and ensure environmental sustainability.

According to the National Drought Management Authority’s (NDMA) National Drought Early Warning Bulletin for July 2025, all ASAL counties were categorized under the “Normal” phase, based on a range of environmental, production, access and utilization indicators monitored that remained within their usual ranges as a result of the good performance of the March April May (MAM) 2025 rainfall season, coupled with off season showers in some counties.

“The forecast for August 2025 indicates varying rainfall patterns across Kenya. Pastoral Northwestern cluster (PNW) including Turkana is expected to receive near to above average rains while Marsabit are likely to remain sunny with dry conditions.” NDMA said in its August 2025 Rainfall Outlook.

However, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics’ (KNBS) The Kenya Poverty Report, the seven counties with rates were among the ASALs. This paints a grim picture of the dire situation residents face when droughts set in.

“The seven counties with the highest overall poverty rates were Turkana (82.7%), Mandera (72.9%), Samburu (71.9%), Garissa (67.8%), Tana River (66.7%), Marsabit (66.1%) and Wajir (64.7%),” KNBS observed in The Kenya Poverty Report.

Of Kenya’s 47 counties, 23 are categorized as either arid or semi-arid. These include: Baringo, Garissa, Isiolo, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Tana River, Turkana, Wajir, Embu, Kajiado, Kilifi, Kitui, Kwale, Laikipia, Lamu, Makueni, Meru, Narok, Nyeri, Taita Taveta, Tharaka Nithi and West Pokot.