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Lifestock program

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Lifestock Program

The life of the Maasai revolves around their cattle. Therefore any change in their culture must take this fundamental truth into consideration.

In 1972 a dutch priest, Father Jan Voshaar, pitched a tent in the plains of Ilkerin. Working hand-in-hand with the Loita pastoralists, a project for sustainable development was born.

The Loita pastoralists set aside a 3,100 acre piece of land and cut 19 km of road to the project site. They also donated 60 heifers to help set up the livestock improvement and upgrading programme. They offered free labour and a small fund to meet the project expenses.

One of the first jobs Father Voshaar and the Loita Maasai undertook was to build two dams in small valleys near the project. During the rainy seasons these dams allow two artificial lakes to fill and thus ensure that there is water in the dry season. As the semi-nomadic existence of the Maasai revolves around the search for water for their cattle, this brought an immediate solution.

In a country where land is becoming scarce and a constant source of conflict, it has proven life-saving and even a source of reconciliation.

In 2006 Kenya suffered a serious drought but the lakes still carried water and pastoralists from all the surrounding communities came with their herds to drink.

Livestock Improvement and Upgrading

For the Maasai, livestock is the source and measure of wealth and the expression of cultural identity and loyalty.
The Loita community donated the land and the original heifers that formed the seed of what is now a 3100 acre ranch operating 350 sahiwal cattle, 300 dorper sheep and 350 galla goats.
The upgrading programme started when the Ilkerin-Loita project bought two good quality Sahiwall bulls. They then asked the community to bring their heifers to mate with the bulls.

This original ‘heifer bond’ cemented relations between the community and the Project.
With better breeding stock and veterinary care Loita herds produced more milk, grew at a faster rate and fetched more money at the market than those of their neighbours.

Many farmers from Narok and Kajiado have greatly benefited by buying the project’s stock for their own crossbreeding and upgrading.
The Ilkerin Loita Project farm serves as a showcase for all aspects of traditional and modern animal husbandry practices and techniques for local farmers. Livestock marketing is promoted and a local weekly livestock market is in operation at Olmesuti market.

Through its livestock programme the project has been able to support and improve the livelihood of the local pastoralists. The local livestock has become more productive and resilient and, as a result, the community’s economy has been strengthened.

The project runs a community-based Veterinary Care programme which covers 5 locations. This programme consists of a mobile vet, six livestock medication shops, cattle dips, group hand-spray pumps and agricultural training sessions.

The programme works closely with existing governmental veterinary services as well as traditional systems, and helps carry out local vaccinations, inoculations and immunisation campaigns.

Livestock diseases are now under control throughout the area of operation.The local pastoralists run 5 small scale dairy co-operatives which process milk into cream, butter and ghee which can be stored for a longer period of time.

It can then be sold locally, especially during the dry season when there is less milk.