Kenya boosts livestock production with advanced breeding techniques

KENYA – The Kenyan government has established cutting-edge embryo transfer facilities and goat artificial insemination (AI) centres across the country in a significant move to enhance livestock production and improve farmers’ incomes. 

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernize the livestock sector, ensuring that farming becomes more profitable and sustainable.

Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura highlighted these facilities’ impressive achievements during a recent press briefing. Over the past 23 months, the centres have produced approximately one million doses of bull semen and 50,000 doses of buck semen. 

Additionally, 35 semen import permits were approved, facilitating the importation of 297,027 semen doses and 416 embryos. These advancements are designed to improve animal breeds, boost productivity, and increase farmers’ incomes.

Mwaura also emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting farmers through modern agriculture risk management instruments. 

These include crop and livestock insurance schemes and commodity market instruments, all of which aim to mitigate risks and ensure farming remains a viable economic activity. 

More than 400,000 litres of liquid nitrogen were produced further to support this initiative and be used in these breeding programs. Of 950 sires evaluated, 638 were approved, ensuring only the best genetics are propagated.

In addition to breeding advancements, the government has also taken steps to address challenges in livestock feeding. Livestock feeds have been subsidised through duty waivers and the exemption of the 16% VAT on raw materials. 

This, coupled with 8,900 kilograms of seed distribution for pasture production, has stabilised feed prices and improved availability, particularly in arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) areas.

The dairy value chain has also significantly improved, with 265 sites mapped in 34 counties to install milk coolers. These efforts are part of a larger plan to reduce post-harvest losses in milk production. 

Additionally, 200 dairy goats have been provided to multiplication centres, ensuring the continuous improvement of dairy breeds.

The meat value chain is not left behind, with the construction of two feedlots in Kibiru (Meru) and Hadado (Wajir) nearing completion. 

These feedlots, along with the provision of sheep and goats to multiplication centres and elite breeders under the Kenya Livestock Commercialization Project (KELCOP), are expected to significantly boost meat production in the country.

KELCOP has also facilitated the drilling of seven boreholes equipped with solar power and the construction of water pans in Siaya and Samburu counties. Boreholes were also drilled in Marsabit, Samburu, Baringo, Siaya, and Elgeyo Marakwet counties, providing much-needed water resources to support livestock.

Moreover, the De-Risking, Inclusion, and Value Enhancements of Pastoral Economies (DRIVE) program has provided livestock insurance to 138,679 pastoralists, covering 503,480 Tropical Livestock Units (TLUs). 

This initiative aims to enhance the resilience of pastoral communities, ensuring they can withstand the challenges posed by climate change and other risks.

These efforts are part of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which prioritises agriculture as a key sector for economic recovery. 

The government aims to address the extreme poverty and vulnerability that have long plagued many Kenyan farmers by reducing the cost of living, creating jobs, alleviating poverty, and generating income.

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