Kenya is focusing on enhancing its earnings from the livestock sector through a strategic initiative that involves expanding veterinary services across the country. This plan is part of the broader Livestock Master Plan currently being developed by the Ministry of Agriculture, which aims to improve animal health, boost productivity, and increase access to broader markets for Kenya’s livestock and livestock products.
The importance of veterinary services in transforming the livestock sector cannot be overstated. Dr. Christopher Wanga, the Livestock Policy Research and Regulations Director at the State Department of Livestock, highlighted the crucial role that veterinary services play in disease control, food safety, and diagnostics. He emphasized that veterinary professionals are pivotal in achieving key sector goals, including doubling milk production and significantly increasing the revenue from leather and leather products.
“We rely heavily on veterinary services to transform the livestock sector. We have targets to achieve, such as doubling our milk production and increasing the revenue from leather and leather products from Ksh 17 billion to Ksh 100 billion. Meeting the international and local demand for meat and veterinary services is critical to offering disease control, food safety, and diagnostic services for the sector,” said Dr. Wanga.
According to official statistics, Kenya earned Ksh 190.5 billion from livestock and livestock products last year, marking a significant increase from Ksh 153.8 billion the previous year. Cattle, calves, goats, and sheep accounted for the majority of these earnings, totaling Ksh 126.8 billion. This growth highlights the potential of the livestock sector and the importance of continued investment in improving animal health and management practices.
To further support this growth, the Kenyan government plans to initiate a nationwide vaccination exercise targeting 22 million cattle and 55 million sheep and goats. The government is also keen to address livestock diseases that hinder the movement of animals and livestock products. For example, outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have been a major challenge, often preventing farmers from selling their animals both locally and internationally. Dr. Wanga urged the public to focus on improving livestock health, despite any negative sentiments that may arise from such initiatives. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government, leaders, stakeholders, and animal owners to address these challenges.
“The outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease prevent farmers from selling livestock and livestock products out of the country. Worse still, Kenyan law does not allow the movement of sick animals. It is critical for everyone to focus on developing these livestock resources, which require a concerted effort from all parties involved,” Dr. Wanga added.
In alignment with Kenya’s push to improve livestock health, the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) has called for increased capacity building for veterinary professionals, particularly in Africa, where small-scale livestock keepers face unique challenges. Dr. Francois Caya, WOAH’s Deputy Director, emphasized that strong veterinary services are essential for the success of the sector. He noted that even with access to good vaccines and equipment, the absence of a skilled and committed veterinary workforce would hinder progress.
“We are extremely conscious of the importance of having strong veterinary services, especially with the young workforce in Africa. No matter how good the vaccines and equipment are, nothing is possible without a strong workforce in the field,” Dr. Caya said.
Currently, Kenya produces around 100 veterinarians and 800 veterinary technicians annually. The private sector has been encouraged to collaborate with the government to utilize these professionals to support the development of the livestock sector. The aim is to address the growing demand for skilled veterinary professionals who can provide much-needed services across the country.
The two-day Veterinary Workforce Development Conference in Nairobi brought together 175 veterinary professionals from 36 African countries to discuss challenges and opportunities in the sector. The conference underscored the importance of strengthening the veterinary workforce to tackle issues such as disease control, food safety, and the overall health and productivity of livestock across the continent.
In conclusion, Kenya’s efforts to improve livestock health through expanded veterinary services represent a strategic move to tap into the full potential of its livestock sector. By enhancing disease control, food safety, and the capacity of veterinary professionals, the country aims to increase earnings from the sector and ensure better access to both local and international markets.
