Animal feed manufacturers from Kenya and across Africa are urging governments to adopt science-based policies to improve access to affordable, high-quality feed ingredients. The call comes as rising costs of raw materials threaten the competitiveness of the livestock sector in the region.
According to industry representatives, the high price of maize, soybeans, and other key inputs has made feed production expensive, squeezing smallholder farmers and large producers alike. They advocate for reforms that include reducing import tariffs on feed ingredients, promoting local production of alternatives like cassava and sorghum, and investing in research for cost-effective formulations.
The African Union's animal feed strategy, launched in 2023, emphasizes the need for sustainable feed sources to support the continent's growing demand for livestock products. However, implementation has been slow, and millers say urgent action is needed to prevent further losses in the sector.
Kenya's feed industry, which supplies millions of poultry, dairy, and pig farmers, has been particularly affected by drought and global price volatility. The Kenya Animal Feed Manufacturers Association has proposed a roadmap that includes tax breaks for local ingredient producers and support for feed processing technologies.
