Meru South District - UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative

5.2 Livestock
Type of Livestock Production System
a) Intensive- Common with dairy cows, dairy goats and exotic poultry- common in upper
and middle zones. Many are fed and housed in sheds (store feeding).
b) Semi intensive- The animals are left to graze, with limited area and time. This is
common in middle coffee zones
c) Extensive (free range)- Animals are left to loam extensively in search of
fodder/pastures and water. It is common in lower parts of the district
Area and Coverage
• Upper zones-LH1 UM1, UM2
• Middle zones-UM3
• Lower zones-LM3, LM4, LM5
Production Patterns
• Dairy production is on the increase both in terms of animals and milk production.
The same is true for dairy goats.
• Meat cattle- the population is slowly declining due to land subdivision and
competition with other agricultural practices e.g. sheep and goats.
• Poultry- These are kept in each homestead, a few exotic layers and broilers are
available in areas near market centers.
• Pigs- Production follows availability of food for humans as most are fed on swirl.
There is limited external market i.e. most are slaughtered in various market
centres. The number has reduced drastically over the last two years.
Status and Trends
Dairy cattle - (2005)
Estimated population----24,426
Population and quality of cows slowly improving.
Beef Cattle – (2005)
Estimated Population -----14,676
Numbers reducing slowly
Goats and Sheep – (2005)
Population ------60,917
Population increasing slowly.
Pigs – (2005)
Population -----1,671
Population decreasing.
Rabbits – (2005)
Population -----17,106
These rarely increase in numbers.
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