FeedTechKenya: Empowering the feed sector in Kenya
With the increased demand for animal protein in Kenya there is plenty of space to grow for both the livestock and aquaculture sector. However, the opportunities for the development of the sectors heavily depend on the availability and quality of feed. The FeedTechKenya impact cluster on animal feed tries to bridge the gap between feed demand and supply. In addition, it aims to increase the quality of locally available feed.
Developments in Kenya's feed sector
On 1 December 2019, the first impact cluster in Kenya has been formally approved by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). The livestock sector in Kenya, as well as the East Africa region as a whole, is developing at a fast pace. The demand for protein-based food is increasing for various reaons, including population growth and changing consumption patterns. Whereas the increase in demand gives rise to a window of opportunities for growth, the development of the livestock sector is constrained by the slower development of the animal feed sector.
There are 305 registered feed companies in Kenya in total, of which 115 solely manufacture feed, 96 supply raw materials and 94 engage in both activities. The number of registered feed producers has almost doubled over the last five years, while production only rose by 30%, indicating the presence of inefficient practices within the feed sector. Currently, the total annual feed production in Kenya lies around 900,000 tons.
Various issues are causing the feed sector to be unable to keep up with the pace of the livestock sector. These include a lack of raw materials, limited availability of new feed protein sources, non-optimal transport, storage, production and application practices, as well as the lack of feed quality testing facilties. These obstacles do not only apply to the feed production side, but also to farmers that utilize feed. Farmers are often not aware of the benefits of using high-quality feed and do not realize the fact that high-quality feed is, in the long run, cheaper than mixing their own feed. Moreover, they are insufficiently aware of the danger of poor storage and feeding practices.
“Both feed producers as well as feed users could increase their performance by applying world’s best feed practices” Iris Boom, Larive
The impact cluster
The FeedTechKenya impact cluster comprises of a consortium of leading Dutch and Kenyan parties active in various areas of the feed value chain. A wide variety of parties enables the creation of integrated solutions to transfer best feed production and feeding practices to the Kenyan Feed sector. The consortium includes Aeres Training Centre International, Almex Extrusion Techniques, Ottevanger Milling Engineers, Unga Farm Care ltd, Insectipro and Nutreco Africa. Larive International and Lattice Consulting initiatited and coordinated the partnership. The consortium will conduct studies, perform trials with insect-based feed, demonstrate best feed production and usage practices to feedmillers and farmers, and transfers knowledge and expertise. All with the aim to develop the Kenyan feed sector and boost production.
“ We identified the need for a feed-sector based project, and are very happy with the arrival of this first impact cluster in Kenya. The livestock and aquaculture sector contribute to over USD 3.1 billion to the Kenyan economy. It is important to facilitate the growth of such an important sector by tackling the issues in the feed sector”. Ingrid Korving, Agricultural counsellor of the Netherlands Embassy in Kenya
If you have questions for FoodTechAfrica contact Iris Boom at iris.boom@larive.com. In case of questions for the Agricultural Counsellor feel free to contact us via nai-lnv@minbuza.nl. For the latest updates follow us on twitter @NLAgriKenya.