Experts urge joint action to cut high cost of Livestock feed in Kenya

According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (2024), the country’s livestock sector makes a significant contribution to both the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Agricultural Value Added (AVA). However, its productivity and long-term sustainability are being undermined by the persistently high cost of animal feed.

A policy brief by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and livestock sector experts in Kenya has outlined a series of technical, market and policy options aimed at reducing feed costs for producers. The experts are calling for a joint effort by the Government, Private Sector, Development Partners and Farmer Cooperatives to improve access to affordable, high-quality animal feed.

The report identifies key constraints within Kenya’s livestock feed sector, including low yields, outdated equipment, limited research, and post-harvest losses. These technical challenges are further compounded by market inefficiencies, such as fragmented supply chains and poor infrastructure.

The experts emphasised that Kenya’s livestock sector cannot thrive without affordable and quality feed. They have therefore urged all stakeholders, government agencies, private investors, development partners, and farmer cooperatives, to take coordinated action and implement measures that will lower feed costs and enhance the overall productivity of the sector.