Kenya plans to roll out a Ksh465 billion ($3.6 billion) National Feed Strategy to reduce the high cost of animal feed to lower livestock production expenses, boost food security and competitiveness in regional and global markets.

Speaking on Wednesday during the opening of the African Feed Conference and Exhibition (AFEC) 2026 in Nairobi, Head of the Animal Feed and Nutrition Section in State Department for Livestock Development Newton Kariuki said animal feed accounts for up to 80 per cent of livestock production costs, making affordable, quality feed critical to increasing the production of milk, meat and eggs.

Kariuki said the government is working with the Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers (AKEFEMA) and other players in the sector to address persistent shortages in the feed industry.

He said the 10-year strategy will expand feed and fodder production, strengthen local feed manufacturing and improve livestock productivity and complement the Livestock Master Plan that guides livestock investments based on agro-ecological zones.

Kariuki noted that Kenya faces a 60 per cent deficit in the form of animal feed raw materials that forces manufacturers to rely on costly imports that are vulnerable to tariffs and global supply chain disruptions.

To reduce dependence on imports, the strategy promotes increased local production of key feed ingredients through contract farming while encouraging manufacturers to utilise East African Community (EAC) duty remission incentives to lower the cost of imported raw materials.

The government is also establishing a Strategic National Feed Reserve to store hay, silage and fodder during surplus seasons for use during droughts.

In addition, the One Ward, One Fodder Initiative targets the production of 300,000 metric tonnes of dry matter annually by 2028 across the country’s 1,450 wards.

Kariuki called for science-based discussions on genetically modified feed ingredients, saying biotechnology could help reduce production costs and improve feed availability while maintaining biosafety standards.

He also raised concern over adulterated and poorly labelled animal feeds and urged stricter enforcement of quality standards and greater investment in precision feed formulation, digital feed quality monitoring, climate-smart forage production and alternative protein sources such as black soldier fly larvae.

“Farmers deserve quality feed because consumers deserve safe animal products. What animals consume ultimately finds its way to our tables,” he said.

Kariuki told county governments to prioritise feed and fodder production in their development plans, besides quality feed as the foundation of a productive livestock sector. He attributed the country’s growth in milk production to supportive government policies, commercial investment in the dairy industry, improved breeding programmes, artificial insemination services, subsidised fertiliser that has boosted fodder production and rising demand for dairy products.

According to AKEFEMA Chair Joseph Karuri, expanding local production of feed ingredients is the most sustainable solution to lowering feed costs. Mr Karuri noted that the livestock sector contributes about three per cent of Kenya’s gross domestic product and 40 per cent of agricultural GDP, while supporting millions of livelihoods.

“Kenya currently produces about 2.5 million metric tonnes of compounded animal feed annually, with poultry accounting for 60 per cent of commercial feed consumption and dairy 29 per cent”, he added.

Karuri noted that more than 80 per cent of critical feed ingredients, including soybeans, sunflower meal and cottonseed meal, are imported. This exposes manufacturers to volatile international markets, he said.

He welcomed the government’s duty remission scheme that allows eligible manufacturers to import feed ingredients duty-free but stressed that expanding local production of yellow maize, soybeans, sunflower and canola through contract farming would provide a lasting solution.

“If we produce these raw materials locally, feed prices will drop significantly because raw materials account for between 70 and 80 per cent of production costs,” he said.

Karuri added that poor animal nutrition remains a major constraint to livestock productivity despite the availability of improved breeds and encouraged farmers to improve forage, hay and silage quality while embracing precision nutrition, automation, biotechnology and climate-smart feeding systems.

House Farm Chief Executive Officer John Muhia said technological innovations are helping manufacturers detect aflatoxins and other mycotoxins before feed reaches the market. Technology is helping improve feed safety and protecting livestock health, he said.

He told manufacturers to test both raw materials and finished products before releasing feeds for sale to ensure farmers receive safe, quality products.

The African Feed Conference and Exhibition has brought together policymakers, researchers, feed manufacturers and development partners to discuss innovations, investment and policy reforms aimed at strengthening Africa’s livestock sector.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Wangari Ndirangu