Empowering the Kenyan feed sector; Key highlights of the 2nd year of FeedTechKenya
The FeedTech Impact Cluster comprises a consortium of leading Dutch and Kenyan parties active in various areas of the East African feed value chain. The consortium conducts studies, performs feed trials, demonstrates best feed production and usage practices to feed millers and farmers. By working together, knowledge and expertise are shared. The focus is to develop integrated solutions on best feed production and feeding practices. All with the aim to develop the Kenyan feed sector and boost production.
Highlights of the 2nd year of FeedTechKenya
In 2021, the consortium successfully performed multiple integrated value-chain activities following the project plan. And even better, multiple synergies, spinoff activities and collaborations arose as a payoff from working in a consortium. In short, the consortium:
- Performed a study towards promising alternative protein sources available in Kenya for livestock and fish feed. In total 71 sources, including Black Soldier Flies (BSF), have been assessed of which 21 have been further analysed at the Nutreco laboratory. Following this assessment, the consortium selected the most promising sources to be trialled at a Kenyan broiler and Tilapia farm.
- Established protocols and feed formulations for alternative protein source-feed trials.
- Prepared training programs for Kenyan broiler, layer, pig, cow and Kenyeji farmers. These training programs will take place in February/March 2022.
- Have been awarded additional funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation to widen the activity scope and increase impact.
- Strengthened business-wise collaborations within the consortium; Nutreco entered into a joint-venture with Unga and Insectipro & Unga collaborated to work on feed for crickets and the incorporation of BSF in the feed production.
- Worked out details on how to adjust feed production and formulations to use BSF as a protein source.
- FeedTechKenya training materials, including educative books elaborating upon best farming and feeding practices.
“2022 will be the year in which we will successfully empower the Kenyan feed sector by intensive training programs and demonstrations” Iris Boom
The consortium includes Aeres Training Centre International , Almex Extrusion Techniques, Ottevanger Milling Engineers, Unga Farm Care EA Ltd., Insectipro and Nutreco Africa. Larive International and Kenya-based Lattice Consulting initiated and coordinate the partnership. Larive & Lattice are advocates of Dutch-Kenyan consortium-style collaborations instead of individual initiatives. Consortia not only offer the opportunity to perform activities using an effective integrated value-chain approach; they also pave the way for collaborations, spin-offs, synergies, and experience, network/client-base sharing.
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.