SA's Dorper sheep flourish in Kenya

Dorper sheep are increasingly making inroads in Kenya's mutton and lamb production industry. The breed is particularly popular among farmers in the more arid areas of the country because of its hardiness, adaptability and profitability. Annelie Coleman reports.

- Annelie Coleman

According to an article in Farmers Review Africa, indigenous Kenyan sheep breeds, including the Red Masaai, were increasingly being replaced by the Dorper due to the breed’s resilience in adverse and extensive production conditions.

The Dorper could be found from Narok to Kajiado, Makueni, Machakos and parts of the dry northern Kenyan rangelands where sheep farming is predominant.

Moses Oletip, a sheep producer who farms on the border of Kajiado and Makueni counties, said in the article that he switched to the Dorper after learning of its resilience to the effects of climate change from fellow farmers.

“I was surprised that even during times of drought when grazing is scarce, the Dorper sheep still retains weight and condition. The Dorper also fetches better prices on the market because most buyers prefer the breed’s bigger frame, compared with the other breeds in Kenya,” Oletip added.