Kenyan farmers embrace livestock value addition to transform local economies

KENYA – Once overlooked due to its low and erratic rainfall, Kenya’s Laikipia County is becoming a hub of opportunity as locals warm up to adding value to livestock farming. 

Historically, the region’s harsh climate on the leeward side of Mt. Kenya has deterred investment in agriculture and pastoralism. 

However, a new wave of entrepreneurial spirit is reshaping the landscape, with communities in Laikipia seeing a steady influx of investors interested in horticulture and livestock rearing. 

While the region still faces challenges, locals like Samuel Ole Pareyo and Moses Tanui believe that value-addition programs are key to unlocking Laikipia’s untapped potential.

According to Pareyo, one of the primary barriers to success is a lack of guidance on value-addition initiatives. 

“What I earn from the market is not enough because pastoralists are taken advantage of by middlemen,” he shared, emphasising the need for local private slaughterhouses equipped with cold storage to allow farmers to compete with major players like the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC).

Moses Tanui, a pastoralist in his 70s, echoed Pareyo’s concerns, pointing out that many farmers are unaware of the financial benefits of value addition. 

“For years, we’ve overlooked the true value of livestock because we haven’t been taught how to make the most of it,” said Tanui, who owns 70 cattle. 

On market days, traders flock to Laikipia to buy some of the region’s best bulls, but local farmers often miss out on potential earnings due to a lack of knowledge about maximizing returns.

Controlled grazing yields benefits 

In Laikipia North, controlled grazing practices have proven beneficial for communities in Runyeki and Doldol. Community leader Geoffrey Lusiyo explained how livestock sales have helped fund critical services like education and healthcare. 

“We’ve been introduced to the idea of stocking only as many animals as a family can feed during drought, which has been crucial for our survival,” Lusiyo said.

Entrepreneurs like John Gitogo see further opportunities for growth through feedlots, which would allow farmers to fatten their cattle and increase their profitability. 

“The practice of commercial cattle fattening has been successful in places like Botswana and Namibia, which have some of the best livestock breeds. We need to empower local communities to capitalize on their resources,” Gitogo advised.

He also suggested that the county government intervene by establishing community-controlled feedlots to ensure local farmers are not exploited by middlemen.

This would help livestock farmers earn more from their animals by feeding them high-nutrition diets designed to maximize weight gain in the shortest possible time.

Structured livestock programs would improve profitability, prevent the spread of animal diseases, and improve food security. Martin Ngure, a resident of Olmoran sub-county, called on financial institutions to support these initiatives. 

“The Agriculture Finance Corporation (AFC) and other financiers should facilitate livestock programs to ensure feedlots are effective,” Ngure said.

Laikipia’s County Government is also keen on supporting livestock farming as a key economic activity. According to Finance Chief Officer Daniel Ngumi, the county is working to educate more farmers on the benefits of modern farming technologies to boost their profits. 

“We sit on an ideal plateau for livestock farming, and our goal is to ensure that every farmer can benefit from this opportunity,” Ngumi said.

Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE.