Kenya’s efforts to strengthen food security are increasingly placing livestock production at the centre of national development discussions, alongside crop farming.
With continued investment and collaboration between government, industry, and farming communities, stakeholders believe the livestock sector is well positioned to contribute meaningfully to national food security and economic growth.
Industry players note that private sector investment is increasingly complementing public initiatives. Companies such as De Heus Kenya have invested in local manufacturing capacity, quality assurance systems, and technical expertise aimed at strengthening the animal feed sector.
Quality, Health, Safety and Environment Manager at De Heus Kenya Bishaka Njunju has emphasised the importance of improving animal feed systems to sustain productivity and resilience in the sector.
According to Njunju milk, meat, and eggs remain critical sources of nutrition and income for millions of households, and improving animal feed systems will be essential to sustaining productivity and resilience in the sector.
“Feed quality directly affects productivity, animal health, and overall farm efficiency,” said Njunju, adding that when animals receive nutritionally balanced feed consistently, farmers are more likely to see stable production outcomes.
She said that clear nutritional specifications and effective enforcement mechanisms are seen as critical to building trust in the feed market and enabling farmers to make informed decisions.
“Feed delivers the best results when it is used correctly and supported by technical guidance,” said Njunju, adding that farmer education on ration formulation, feeding practices, and animal requirements at different life stages is critical to achieving sustainable productivity gains.
Njunju divulged that feed quality is one of the most influential factors in livestock performance. Conversely, weak or inconsistent feed systems undermine productivity and increase costs for farmers.
“Balanced and consistent nutrition enables animals to produce more efficiently, maintain better health, and utilise resources such as land and water more effectively,” she said
Kenya’s livestock sector has long faced challenges related to feed supply. These include variability in raw materials, limited quality control, and a reliance on imported feed inputs.
She said that these constraints have contributed to inconsistent farm-level results, making it difficult for farmers to plan production and manage costs effectively and that addressing these challenges requires coordinated action across policy, manufacturing, and farmer support systems.
“Strengthening feed systems through quality production, standards enforcement, and farmer support is viewed as a practical pathway to improving livestock productivity, raising incomes, and stabilising food supplies,” she added.
Technical Sales Representative De Heus Kenya Elias Maina said that local manufacturing of animal feed is increasingly being viewed as part of the solution, as it allows for closer quality oversight, improved traceability, and stronger integration with domestic grain producers.
“Local production helps reduce dependence on external supply chains and allows manufacturers to adapt feed formulations to local conditions,” said Maina adding that this contributes to more predictable feed performance for farmers
He said that advisory and extension services remain a key link between feed quality and on-farm performance. When farmers understand how to apply nutrition properly, productivity improvements tend to be more consistent and sustainable over time.
“In addition to production, advisory services are being positioned as an essential component of effective feed utilisation,” he said.
He said that as the country aligns agricultural development with its broader food security goals, animal feed is increasingly being recognised as a strategic infrastructure rather than a purely commercial input.
By Anita Omwenga
