Kenya Launches National Strategy to Reduce Livestock Feed Costs
Government and industry partners aim to boost domestic feed production, cut import reliance, and lower costs for farmers and consumers through a five-year plan.
Government and industry partners aim to boost domestic feed production, cut import reliance, and lower costs for farmers and consumers through a five-year plan.
· Updated
Kenya has launched a five-year National Livestock Feed Strategy to reduce production costs and increase competitiveness in the livestock sector. The plan aims to lower the cost of animal feed by promoting domestic production of raw materials and leveraging new technologies. The strategy was announced at the Africa Feed and Feed Ingredients Conference (AFEC) 2026, where stakeholders highlighted that high feed costs are weakening Kenya's regional market competitiveness.
Newton Nyaga, head of the Department of Livestock Feed and Nutrition, stated that the government is collaborating with the Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers (AKEFEMA) to address challenges through policy reforms and increased local production. Kenya currently faces a 60% deficit in animal feed, forcing manufacturers to import most raw materials and exposing the sector to tariffs, supply disruptions, and global price fluctuations.
Long-term solutions include expanding cultivation of feed-specific crops like yellow maize to reduce competition with human-consumption white maize. Contract farming and strategic feed reserves are also being considered to stabilize supply during droughts. Improved feed quality and safety, including reducing aflatoxin contamination, are additional priorities.
Joseph Karuri, chair of AKEFEMA, emphasized that nutrition remains a major gap in African livestock production, noting that Dutch dairy cows produce nearly ten times more milk annually than Kenyan cows, largely due to feed quality. He urged farmers to adopt better feed, invest in quality forage, and use modern farming technologies to benefit from economies of scale.
FAQ
What is the goal of Kenya's National Livestock Feed Strategy?
The strategy aims to reduce livestock feed costs, boost domestic production of raw materials, and enhance Kenya's competitiveness in regional markets.
How much of Kenya's animal feed is currently imported?
Kenya imports nearly 80% of the raw materials used in animal feed production due to insufficient domestic output.
