In a bid to protect livestock and pastoralist livelihoods from recurring droughts, the government has ordered the establishment of strategic national animal feed reserves.

Speaking on Thursday during the launch of the Emkitha Dairy Cooperative Union in Embu County, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the initiative aims to prevent economic losses that in the past have exceeded Sh50 billion and claimed over 2.5 million livestock across Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).

“We must act before losses occur. The Government is committed to protecting pastoralist assets through structured feed and water provision, animal off-take programmes, and disease control measures, while ensuring long-term strategies are in place to prevent future droughts from escalating into emergencies,” he said.

Under the new policy, silage, hay, and other drought fodder will be stockpiled during periods of surplus and strategically deployed during dry spells. Counties will oversee planning, stocking, and distribution, with the national government providing coordination, funding, and technical support.

Kagwe added that cooperatives will act as delivery agents to ensure feed reaches livestock owners efficiently. Early warning systems will trigger timely feed deployment to prevent distress sales and livestock deaths.

“We cannot allow drought to destroy livestock livelihoods. Feed reserves are critical to stabilising incomes, protecting food production and reducing losses worth billions of shillings,” he said.

The CS further highlighted that strict controls will limit livestock movement from counties affected by foot and mouth disease and other outbreaks. County Commissioners and security forces will enforce these restrictions, while vaccination campaigns—including for anthrax—will be intensified, and biosecurity at livestock checkpoints strengthened.

Organised dairy cooperatives

At the Emkitha launch, Kagwe also underscored the role of organised dairy cooperatives in boosting productivity and resilience. He encouraged farmers to focus on doubling milk production per cow through proper feeding and management rather than increasing herd sizes.

Embu County currently produces about 101.3 million litres of milk annually, valued at Sh5.2 billion, with average productivity at just eight litres per cow per day.

Kagwe noted that with improved feeding, husbandry practices, and cooperative coordination, production from the 19 Emkitha cooperatives could rise to over 397,000 litres daily.

“Farmers can double milk production without adding a single cow. Feed, nutrition, and management, not numbers, are the fastest path to higher incomes,” he said.

Last-mile distribution

To further support pastoralists and dairy farmers, the government said it will expand cooperative-based input delivery. Fertiliser subsidies will continue under the existing programme, with cooperatives handling last-mile distribution and providing loans.

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire has proposed a similar model for feed support, which is still under discussion. Adjustments to KIAMIS will ensure registered farmers, rather than intermediaries, receive benefits, while cooperatives act as distribution agents. Structured animal off-take programmes will also be implemented to prevent distress sales during drought.

Kagwe confirmed additional funding has been approved for more milk coolers in Embu, complementing the 13 units delivered last year, worth over Sh70 million. The new units will reduce post-harvest losses, maintain milk quality, and allow quality-based payments to incentivise farmers to improve milk hygiene and safety.

He emphasised that counties are at the frontline for drought preparedness, livestock protection, and disease control, with the national government providing oversight, funding, and technical guidance.

“We cannot afford reactive responses. Preparedness, coordination, and accountability are key,” Kagwe said.

With strategic feed reserves, controlled livestock movement, cooperative-based subsidies, and expanded cold chain infrastructure, Kenya aims to prevent billion-shilling losses from future droughts, safeguard pastoralist livelihoods, and strengthen the dairy sector as a cornerstone of national food security.

Source - https://eastleighvoice.co.ke