At a recent exchange program visit to Kenya, a Turkish organization agreed to invest in the animal feed sector of the East African country.
The investment — by the Turkish International Development and Coordination Agency — is part of a project to improve the livestock and value management chain in Kenya, reports The Star.
Focusing particularly on the Northeastern region, the project will cover all aspects of livestock production, from breeding, feeding and animal health to transportation and slaughter.
Turkey has invested in the animal feed elements across much of the country, according to Joseph Leramo, managing commissioner of the Kenya Meat Commission, the local partner in the project.
The next phase will be the selection of Kenyan scientists to work with those from Turkey to identify the areas offering the greatest potential for development.
Kenya’s livestock sector has received support from other sources in recent months. This year, the U.K. government announced it would invest GBP4 million (US$5.3 million) to improve the health and productivity of farmed animals in tropical countries through research at U.K. and overseas institutions, including the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. This investment built on a previous award from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2015.
Kenyans too have been working to adapt to the effects of climate change, which have presented major challenges to the country’s farmers. Local initiatives include the use of alternative breeds and feed ingredients.
