NAIROBI: The recurrent emergence of livestock diseases has been identified as a significant barrier to Kenya’s underutilization of the export market for livestock products, particularly due to stringent health regulations in the European market. In response, the Kenyan government has announced an ambitious nationwide immunization initiative targeted at millions of livestock to unlock the lucrative export market potential.
According to Kenya News Agency, President William Ruto has stated that the government plans to invest millions of shillings in this immunization program. This initiative aims to improve the health conditions of livestock, thereby enhancing farmers’ earnings in the global market. Dr. Richard Kyuma, Director and Head of Marketing at the State Department for Livestock Development, emphasized that diseases such as Foot and Mouth, lumpy skin disease, pneumonia, and anthrax have historically hampered farmers’ market access due to health concerns.
Dr. Kyuma highlighted that the livestock sector h
as also been plagued by a lack of quality animal feeds. To address this, the government has implemented incentives to encourage commercial feed production. Additionally, a new livestock insurance policy has been introduced to support farmers during adverse conditions like drought, reducing potential losses.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock reports a 60 percent annual feed deficit, equating to 33 million metric tonnes, alongside a 40 percent feed post-harvest loss. The immunization drive aims to boost meat production and address a current annual deficit of 250,000 metric tonnes.
During a stakeholder engagement in Naivasha, Dr. Kyuma remarked on the project’s goal of empowering women and youth in the livestock sector, traditionally underrepresented groups. Prof. Ahmed El Beltagy, coordinator of the AU-IBAR-led project, stated that the initiative will span four years, including countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Niger, Burkina Faso, and others in the Sahel region.
Prof. El Beltagy
explained that the project will aid farmers in commercializing feed production and improving animal breeding to secure better market prices. Policy interventions will support market integration and inclusivity for women and youth.
Farmer Fatma Osman welcomed the inclusion of women in the sector, noting it as a significant step towards enhancing their contributions and livelihoods. Mohamed Abdi, a farmer from Mandera County, shared that local pastoralists have expanded their market reach to Ethiopia and Somalia, although this is threatened by Al Shabaab militants demanding fines for border crossings.
Abdi urged the government to support pastoralist communities reliant on livestock for their livelihoods. Kenya’s livestock sector contributes 4.4 percent to the GDP, valued at USD 3.4 billion as of 2017, and employs half of the agricultural workforce. The sector supports livelihoods in arid and semi-arid regions, accounting for 60 percent of the country’s livestock population.
Kenya boasts an extensive animal p
opulation, including cattle, goats, sheep, camels, poultry, donkeys, and pigs, underscoring the sector’s economic significance.