Fostering a sustainable and future-proof feed value chain in Kenya
On March 21st, 2024, key players in the Kenyan animal feed industry convened in Nairobi for a groundbreaking roundtable discussion. Organized by Lattice and Larive International, in partnership with ASNET (Agricultural Sector Network) and AKEFEMA (the Association of Kenya Feed Millers), and sponsored by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nairobi, this event brought together 108 sector participants to explore strategies for building a better and more sustainable feed supply chain.
Diverse stakeholder representation
The roundtable boasted a diverse representation of stakeholders spanning the entire animal feed value chain, including the Kenya Bureau of Standards, the Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers, feed millers, input suppliers, private laboratories, policy research organizations, academia, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, and various other institutions. This inclusive approach ensured that all voices were heard and perspectives were considered.
Esteemed guests and insightful addresses
The event was graced by the presence of esteemed Ambassador Maarten Brouwer from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, who shared success stories from Narok and Migori, where livestock farmers experienced improved feed quality, reduced costs, and increased yields due to interventions funded by the Netherlands government.
In addition to Ambassador Brouwer's address, speeches were delivered by Dr. Joshua Chepchieng, representing Livestock Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke; Agatha Thuo, CEO of ASNET; Professor Charles Gachuiri from the University of Nairobi; Paul Kamau, CEO of AKEFEMA; and Joe Maye, Director at Lattice.
Collaborative discussions and actionable insights
After the speeches, discussions commenced at each table, comprising various sector stakeholders and focusing on carefully chosen topics that represent the primary challenges confronting the sector.
These topics included important and relevant themes, with a clear call to action:
- regulatory environment, compliance, and policy;
- feed safety and quality assurance;
- capacity building and training;
- industry collaboration and networking;
- storage and prevention of pre-post-milling wastage/losses;
- livestock health and nutrition;
- innovations in feed formulation and alternative ingredient sourcing;
- market trends and consumer demands;
- technology adoption and digitalization;
- future outlook and challenges;
- feed manufacturing efficiency and sustainability.
Continued collaboration and knowledge sharing
This second edition of the roundtable sessions has proven to be a meaningful and fruitful spinoff since the successful conclusion of the FeedTechKenya project, spearheaded by Larive International. It serves as a platform for knowledge sharing, driving innovation, and promoting the acceptance of alternative ingredients within the sector. With the support of the Embassy of RVO and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya, this roundtable has become an annual event, facilitating ongoing collaboration, uniting stakeholders, and fostering continued innovation.
Join the conversation
Interested in learning more about the outcomes of the roundtable discussions? Feel free to reach out to claudy.luft@larive.com to request the event report containing the challenges, opportunities, and action points identified by the sector participants.
Now is the perfect time to enhance collaboration with stakeholders and align efforts for maximum impact. How will you take part in shaping the conversation? Take action today by reaching out to claudy.luft@larive.com to express your interest in joining the upcoming discussion on fostering a resilient feed sector in Kenya.
To access the full report on the roundtable, click here .
We look forward to your involvement!
For more information about this sector or any other agricultural questions feel free to contact us via nai-lnv@minbuza.nl. For the latest updates on activities, new articles and more follow us on X (Twitter) on @NLAgiKenya and subscribe to our newsletter by sending us an email. In case of any non-agriculture questions for the Netherlands Embassy in Nairobi, see this website for contact information
