Taita Taveta unveils strategy to boost livestock production

Taita Taveta government has unveiled a 10-year plan that seeks to enhance livestock production in the region.

Governor Andrew Mwadime said the plan will help address livestock feed deficit in the country, which currently stands at 60 per cent.

He said the document will boost livestock sector’s contribution to food security, agribusiness and employment.

Mwadime said it will also address challenges related to livestock feed production and productivity, animal feed quality, value addition and feed market.

This is in addition to profitability in feed value chains, sustainable physical environment and creation of an enabling environment.

The strategy was unveiled when hundreds of herders and small scale livestock keepers in the region are eying the lucrative Indonesian beef market.

The county boasts of more than 1 million acres of grazing land, which fall under 28 community ranches and provide an ideal space for hay production.

“We aim to capitalise on the vast rangelands in the county to boost livestock production. The document will enable production of quality and affordable livestock feeds,” he said.

Taita Taveta has a population of 180,000 cattle and 400,000 sheep and goats in ranches.

Additionally, some 76 per cent of the county households depend on agriculture for a living.

Livestock contributes to up to 40 per cent of the total earnings in the sector.

“This calls for concerted efforts from all stakeholders to develop a competitive animal feed industry to aid realisation of our agenda to commercialise the sector,”Mwadime said.

The county boss said the strategy will guide partners' contribution to the realisation of the county's integrated development plan and the governor’s manifesto.

“Our main focus is on feedlot production in the ranches for quality beef as per the export market demand. Dairy and milk value chain addition is also another sector that we will support with this strategy,” he said.

Livestock executive Erickson Kyongo said the strategy will open up investments in the livestock value chain and boost the region’s economy.

"The document will also guide the county government and partners to come up with strategies to address shocks related to drought, poor grazing management practices, poor on-farm feeding practices and effects of pests and diseases," he said.

"Encroachment of invasive vegetative species which have led to significant losses in livestock subsector will be addressed in the plan.”

He said the department is currently supporting dairy cooperatives to aid the dairy value chain that includes, milk aggregation, value addition, governance in cooperative societies and production of pasture and fodder.

Kyongo said the department is keen to enhance synergy with development partners to promote the fodder and forage value chain.

He said they have targeted at least 1 million bales of pasture annually to meet the current demand.

Kenya is expected to start exporting at least  50,000 heads of cattle annually to the Asian country.

Taita Taveta hosts the 15,000-acre Bachuma Livestock Export Holding Ground and Quarantine which is set to play a central role in the export market.