NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya is grappling with a critical shortage of animal feed, with an annual deficit of 33 million tonnes, according to Livestock Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke.
The country’s feed requirement stands at 55 million tonnes, but current production meets only 40% of this demand.
At the 2024 Akefema Feeds Exhibition and Conference in Nairobi, Mueke highlighted the urgent issues causing this significant shortfall.
“Nearly half of the available feed, about 46.3%, is lost to post-harvest losses,” he said, underscoring the inefficiencies in the supply chain.
Mueke identified several factors contributing to the feed sector’s inability to keep pace with the growing demands of the livestock industry.
These include lack of raw materials, limited availability of new feed protein sources, non-optimal transport, storage, and production practices, and insufficient feed quality testing facilities.
“These challenges impact not only feed producers but also the farmers who rely on their products,” Mueke added.
He emphasized that many farmers are unaware of the benefits of high-quality feed and the long-term cost savings it offers compared to mixing their own feed. Additionally, poor storage and feeding practices further exacerbate the problem.
The Kenyan forage sector is also struggling due to limited awareness and access to affordable, improved forage seeds and plant material.
The seasonality of forage production, heavily dependent on rainfall, and the insufficient supply of quality forages such as grasses and legumes hinder consistent feed availability.
Currently, dairy cows are fed just enough to maintain body functions, with milk production relying on expensive concentrates and low-quality forages. Another critical issue is the conformity to standards among feed manufacturers.
“It is common knowledge that within the over 300 feed manufacturers in the country, some trade in substandard products, negatively impacting the industry,” Mueke noted.
These substandard feeds result in high costs for consumers with little to no return on investment in livestock production.
The Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers (Akefema) organized the conference under the theme “Resilience and Innovation in an Ever-Changing Feed Industry Landscape for Enhanced Food Security in the Region.”
Akefema Chairman Joseph Karuri emphasized the importance of the exhibition, which hosted over 500 delegates and 50 exhibitors from around the world.
“The exhibition provides a platform for our members to learn the latest technologies in feed manufacturing, enabling them to produce high-quality feeds more efficiently and at lower costs,” Karuri said.
The innovations showcased at the conference aim to lower the cost of feed, ultimately reducing the prices of eggs, milk, and meat for consumers.
