By Suleiman Mbatiah
Worth Noting:
- “However, large-scale public investments and support from our strategic partners are equally important to achieving long-term success,” Dr. Salih noted in her speech read on her behalf by Resilient African Feed and Fodder Systems (RAFFS) project coordinator, Dr. Sarah Ossiya, during the inaugural Kenya National Feed and Fodder Emergency Response Planning workshop in Naivasha.
- The forum on sustainable livestock development, facilitated by the AU-IBAR through the Resilient African Feed and Fodder Systems, brings together livestock feed and fodder experts and other stakeholders.
- AU-IBAR is a specialized technical office of the African Union Commission (AUC), led by a director, that provides strategic leadership in the development and management of animal resources across African Union member states.
There is an urgent need for a coordinated approach involving resources, investments, and awareness-building to ensure large-scale feed and fodder preparedness in Africa’s livestock sector. Experts warn that without such efforts, the industry may struggle to meet growing demands, especially in the face of climate change and other emerging challenges.
These strategic actions, implemented regionally, are also important for attracting, promoting, and safeguarding investments in the sector. By improving the business environment and demonstrating commitment, African countries can position themselves as viable markets for both local and international investors.
Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of the African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), stressed the importance of the private sector taking the lead in commercialization efforts, noting that it is the most effective way to drive sustainable growth and innovation.
“However, large-scale public investments and support from our strategic partners are equally important to achieving long-term success,” Dr. Salih noted in her speech read on her behalf by Resilient African Feed and Fodder Systems (RAFFS) project coordinator, Dr. Sarah Ossiya, during the inaugural Kenya National Feed and Fodder Emergency Response Planning workshop in Naivasha.
The forum on sustainable livestock development, facilitated by the AU-IBAR through the Resilient African Feed and Fodder Systems, brings together livestock feed and fodder experts and other stakeholders.
AU-IBAR is a specialized technical office of the African Union Commission (AUC), led by a director, that provides strategic leadership in the development and management of animal resources across African Union member states.
Dr. Huyam said the AU-IBAR would continue to foster partnerships between regional governments and the private sector to boost resilience in the agricultural and livestock industries by aligning policies and resources.
Last week, she stated, the AU-IBAR RAFFS Project, in collaboration with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Feed and Fodder Country Team, hosted the National Feed Inventory Landscaping and Capacity Building Workshop.
“It was an insightful workshop, underscoring how feed inventories and the national feed balance can be harnessed to inform political, policy, and investment decisions to stabilize, grow, and build the resilience of our livestock sectors,” she noted.
The workshop also focused on establishing a Feed and Fodder Early Warning System and a Regulatory Framework, along with a plan for Remedial Action to quickly address disruptions and protect the sector’s resilience.
The new regulatory provisions aim to implement a comprehensive early warning system that will play an important role in protecting valuable productive assets and investments throughout the feed, fodder, and livestock value chains.
Kenya, Somalia, and Uganda have each undertaken feed inventories and developed feed balances within the last five years, providing strong experience for consolidating a harmonized approach that will be useful for a regional response and managing transboundary actions.
Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr. Andrew Mwihia, highlighted the urgent need for Kenyan livestock farmers to invest in both feed production and improved breeding practices to meet the rapidly growing demand for animal products in local and international markets. He noted that Kenya is currently facing significant deficits in animal-source foods, a situation that is projected to worsen by 2030 without decisive action.
A 2018 study conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development revealed a staggering 60 percent deficit in animal feed, with the most severe shortfalls occurring in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).
According to official government statistics, the livestock sector is vital to Kenya’s economy, contributing approximately 12 percent to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 42 percent to agricultural GDP. Dr. Mwihia reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting livestock as a key driver of national development, aiding in food security, job creation, and income generation for citizens.
Approximately 70 percent of the ruminant livestock population resides in arid and semi-arid regions, which account for about 80 percent of the country’s land mass, primarily raised under a pastoral production system. Dr. Mwihia pointed out that the country is overstocked by around 100 percent of its carrying capacity, resulting in low animal production and increased land degradation.
The situation has been exacerbated by rising instances of drought linked to climate change, with the prolonged drought from 2020 to 2022 being the most severe in four decades. This drought led to livestock losses estimated at Kshs 70 million, not accounting for losses in livestock body condition or ecological balance.
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