The Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) has partnered with a Turkish agency to improve livestock production in Arid and Semi-Arid (ASAL) counties.
KMC Managing commissioner Joseph Learamo said the commission had reached an agreement with Turkish International Development and Coordination Agency (TICA) to develop livestock feedlots in the counties.
Learamo said the project is intended to improve livestock production and value chain management in the country especially the North Eastern counties.
He addressed the press on Monday at the sidelines KMC Stakeholders Forum at the factory’s plant in Athi River, Machakos County that was attended by farmers, development partners and representatives of Frontier Counties Development Council that covers eight north Kenya pastoral counties.
“As it is now, we can hardly get livestock with more than 100 kilograms dead weight,” said
He said the livestock production industry is very critical though not given sufficient attention which it deserves by the government and decision-makers in the country.
"There are lots of challenges facing livestock farmers in the country, some natural while others are manmade. Prolonged drought, pests, and diseases are major problems which affect livestock production especially in ASAL counties," said Olesenteu.
These sentiments were echoed by H: E Mohamed Guleid, the Chairman Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC) saying that farmers continue suffering from middlemen and brokers who control prices of the livestock.
Rehabilitation of two of Kenya’s largest meat abattoirs operated by the KMC at Kibarani in Mombasa and Athi River kicked off last year.
The upgrade, expected to cost Sh3.4 million, is expected to modernize and automate the two meat processing plants.
The Kibarani plant would be rehabilitated at a cost of Sh600 million while the upgrade of the Athi River one would cost Sh2.4 billion.