Kenya’s fodder deficit stands at 60 per cent, leading to high prices of livestock feed which in turn has affected milk and meat production.
To address the shortage, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization has introduced a variety of drought tolerant fodder.
Kalro Naivasha centre director Dr Samuel Mbuku said the high cost of livestock feed had adversely affected milk and meat production.
He however noted that the introduction of several varieties of grass, sorghum and lucerne fodder, which are climate smart, is a game-changer in the sector.
“Kalro has already introduced climate-smart fodder as one way of increasing milk and meat production and addressing the deficit that the country is facing,” he said.
Addressing the press during a farmer's open day in Kalro Naivasha, Mbuku called for more funding for the research organisation.
He termed research as a critical component in production, adding that the law required that two per cent of the national GDP goes to research.
“We are engaging the national government and other stakeholders in seeking more funds for research so that we can increase production and address food security,” he said.
Mbuku added that the Naivasha centre has introduced varieties of livestock, poultry and pigs that are better than exotic breeds.
Waweru Nyanji from the Fodder and Pastures Society of Kenya said that the country has a fodder deficit of 60 per cent.
The situation is worsened by post-harvest losses that stand at 46 per cent and which can be reduced through better farm management.
Nyanji lauded Kalro for training farmers and introducing new varieties of fodder and pasture at a time the cost of livestock feed is on the rise.
“The rising cases of land sub-division coupled with overstocking are some of the challenges facing livestock rearing, thus reducing production,” he said.
John Ng’ang’a, who abandoned pig farming years ago due to high prices of farm inputs, said that he was keen to return to the activity as it was now productive.
Young farmer Mike Mbugua said farming was no longer business for the old, adding that he was involved in poultry and rabbit farming.
