The group observed that Rangelands have problems of water shortages, deficiency in food production, poor communication, rampant destruction on native tree species, lack of enough dipping facilities and anthills. It suggested as solutions to these problems: construction of earth dams and roof catchments for water collection; control of grazing, improvement of animals and reseeding of rangelands; use of draft animals for water transportation and ploughing; use of cheap technology for harnessing; and conservation, as well as introduction of tree species of value.
On soil and water conservation, the group observed that Rangelands have problems of soil erosion, high evaporation rate and salinity. To solve these problems, the group suggested that soil should be conserved by use of applicable structures; technical staff should be increased to assist farmers; introduction of "Wasaidizi wa Kuzuia Mmomonyoko wa udongo" should be made; ecologically suitable crops such as millet should be used; farmers should be trained; and eradication of anthills should be carried out by digging out the queens or using chemicals which kill the insect.
The issues raised by the group were the questions of what tree species are being destroyed and how? What species can be used for rangeland reseeding?. The group noted that a number of indigenous tree species such as Acacia and Boscia are being cut down for charcoal production and medicinal use. Its main concern was that there is a loss in bio - diversity. The group recommended that, rangeland grasses which are of good feeding value, as well as being good soil protectors, should be used in range reseeding activities. Examples include Cenchrus ciliaris, Eragrostis superba, etc. In summary the group recommended that:
1. Water harvesting, spreading and management to enhance production by the construction of earth dams, roof and rock catchments using available resources to minimize human resource suffering because of long distance to water, and utilise the same for other productive activities,
2. Ecological conservation, soil, water and vegetation through demonstration of rehabilitation of denuded areas within the communities in a participatory approach.
3. Economically important multi-purpose tree species (both for medicine and for other uses), grasses for both fodder and soil erosion control to be identified and demonstrated under viable production system within the agro-pastoral areas.
4. Agropastoral training sessions for the farmers to enhance leadership skills and general knowledge.
The ruminants kept are cattle, sheep and goats. Indigenous cattle breeds are kept, dominant ones being local Zebus, Masaku Zebus and Boran Zebus. The Boran Zebus are preferred for they fetch good money on sale due to their big size. Indigenous sheep and goat breeds are also kept. Goat breeds kept are: the small East African goat and the Galla goat which is more preferred because of its big size. The two main breeds of sheep kept are the Kitui and Masaku types.
Goats that are dominantly kept are hardy, have high market value, and are suitable for the vegetation of the region. Sheep are not preferred by the local people for they encourage emergence of arthritis (called Mutambuko by Kambas).
The main constraints to Ruminants production are: tsetse fly infestation, tickborne diseases, liver flukes, breeding diseases, lack of routine watering points and grazing schemes, drought, predation, high cost of drugs, inadequate dipping facilities, financial limitation and inadequate health care personnel.
To solve the above problems the group proposed that: farmers should be trained to undertake basic health care activities; the question of government high cost of drugs and their quality should be addressed; vaccination campaigns should be popularized; farmers must be open to technical advice; establishment of local bull camps and upgrading of local zebus should be undertaken; encouragement of fodder conservation should be strengthened; and farmers should take livestock as a source of livelihood. Research on livestock diseases and suitable forage species is a prerequisite.
Non - ruminants kept are chicken, bees, rabbits and donkeys. Local chicken breeds are kept, and have higher hatchability rate. Local birds, called Kiundimo in Kikamba, are not kept because they are associated with superstition, while Misingu (Kamba) are preferred due to their good mothering ability. Chickens are kept for egg and meat production, as well as for petty cash needs. Research on parasites and New Castle disease which affect chicken production must be initiated. The group recommended that vaccination campaigns should be popularized alongside training of farmers who can extend the acquired knowledge to others.
On beekeeping, the group noted that many local honeybee races occur in the region. Examples of them are Wiyo, Ndabasyo and Mbingi in Kikamba. The main challenges in beekeeping are that the Division lacks organised markets for hive products, and that middlemen dilute honey; trees for hive making have become scarce and land unit size has declined. The group recommended that training on high quality honey production and marketing strategies, as well as more research on local honeybee races should be carried out.
Donkeys are used for ploughing and fetching water. They are easy to train and are also used as a protection against predators. On training, the group recommended that the farmers should be trained on good management practices and use of appropriate harness. More research on donkey utilization and draft power should be initiated.
In conclusion, the group recommended that:
1. Animal health and management, particularly of cattle, sheep and goats, to be given special emphasis through breeding, disease control, drugs and feeding, pasture and fodder production technologies.
2. DHP to coordinate vaccination programmes for various animal diseases, including zoonotic ones such as rabies. Other diseases are New Castle disease in poultry.
3. Promotion of beekeeping activities as a source of income in the entire area.
Aspects covered by the group included the following: (a) Disease control (b) Ethnoveterinary and (c) Draft animal power.
On disease control, the group noted that dips have failed for farmers cannot see any clear advantage in dipping animals. Structural changes require that farmers take care of the dips themselves for they have not yet come to grips with this. The group recommended that: DHP should organize farmers' workshops to educate them on advantages of dipping, and DHP and IDRDU should organize campaigns to vaccinate dogs against rabies.
The group noted that drugs and transportation costs are high. It recommended that: documentation of knowledge on ethnoveterinary medicine and production of a handbook on all the uses and usages of indigenous trees, their names in English, Swahili and local language are necessary; research on herbal medicine and skills for poultry diseases, Helminths and internal parasites, Trypanosomiasis; Anaplasmosis and East Coast Fever should be conducted; and the Kibwezi station should have a plot for planting and protecting all trees of veterinary medicinal value. The DHP co-ordinator should organize so that the local people can submit their knowledge.
It was noted that people prefer donkeys for draft, and hence their breeding should be encouraged. Popularization of donkeys in the Kibwezi area is necessary and DHP, ITDG and the local veterinary personnel should organize workshops to educate farmers in this aspect.
The group came out with the following recommendations as a conclusion:
1. Dipping for control of ticks and tick borne diseases in all livestock should be enhanced by the revival of disused livestock dips.
2. Training of Wasaidizi wa mifugo, with broad knowledge in soil, water and range management; paravets; and Pastoral Development Agents in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, NGOs such as ITDG and other institutions.
3. Documentation of various ethnoveterinary practices used by farmers and herbalists in the Kibwezi Division and its environs. Other adjacent areas should be involved. Testing of such herbal therapies should be done by the Department of Clinical Studies, University of Nairobi in conjunction with the farmers.
4. Rural farm power enforcement by use of the donkey. Kenya Network for Draught Animal Technology (KENDAT) to be operate to carry out demonstration on the state of the art in utilisation of donkey for all farm operations.
