On 2nd November 2023, Strathmore University Agri-Food Innovation Center hosted a Pastoral Convening themed: Collaborative Solutions for Transforming Pastoral Markets. The convening brought together over 150 industry players operating in the pastoral value chain. It aimed to inform the design of interventions for transforming pastoral markets by introducing the “African Pastoral Markets Transformation (APMT) Program.’’ The program will work alongside the African Pastoral Market Development Platform under African Union InterAfrican Bureau For Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).
The event was drawn upon research funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), conducted by the University of Florida, and supported by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) under the title “Market Analysis for Pastoralists.’’ Additionally, subsequent research by the Strathmore Agri-Food Innovation Center titled “Market Transformation for Pastoralists’’ was conducted.
The keynote address by Hon. Jonathan Mueke, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, provided a comprehensive overview of government initiatives. Livestock insurance, restocking programs, feed and water projects, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) emerged as strategic pillars, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing community resilience in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALS).
During the question and answer session, Hon. Mueke informed the participants on the progress of the dairy bill on quality-based pricing and the livestock bill in driving private sector-led livestock marketing. He also spoke on the comprehensive master plan ongoing in 27 counties, the 2.5 million acres allocation for feed production, and plans to zero-rate feed inputs. On the DRIVE project, he noted that the plan is to introduce Sharia compliance in the next phase. He also spoke on the TWENDE project on rangeland restoration and reducing emissions in the sector.
Dr. George Njenga, the founding Dean of Strathmore University Business School, introduced Alice Cherem Chelimo, among others, who are part of the Golden Valley Cooperative in Turkana County, which he helped establish. In his opening remarks, Dr. Njenga emphasized their intention to construct feedlots on the sizable parcels of land the cooperative owns and urged potential collaborators to join the project to develop market-oriented solutions for climate change in arid regions.
Prof. Simon Wagura Ndiritu, Director of the Strathmore Agri-Food Innovation Center, led a context-setting recap. His analysis of the landscape of the different archetypes of pastoral production in Kenya revealed the untapped potential of pastoralists in that, despite their production capacity, 70 percent of pastoralists were poverty stricken, with processing companies in the value chain operating below 30 percent capacity. Prof. Ndiritu introduced The African Pastoral Markets Transformation (APMT) program, which seeks to develop private-sector-driven, government-supported, and development partner-funded solutions for transforming pastoral markets.
Dr. Obai Khalifa, Deputy Director of Agricultural Development at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, discussed perspectives on scaling interventions. He emphasized the need for heightened attention to private sector-led solutions and urged policymakers to develop responsive policies to increase value capture throughout the value chain.
On his part, Prof. Ahmed Elbeltagy, Animal Expert at AU-IBAR, highlighted the pivotal role of the APMD, which will work alongside the AMPT Program in enhancing land governance and natural resource management, market integration, and value capture, while removing trade barriers. Sonya Hoo, Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group, emphasized the need for collaboration across sectors to address critical challenges small-scale producers face. Wangare Kirumba, who heads the National Implementing Entity (NIE) Secretariat at National Environment Management Authority, advocated for integrating traditional leadership structures and transforming chiefs and elders into change agents.
Tesfalidet Gebru’s account of Luna’s Export Slaughter House pilot showcased the power of leveraging the private sector to drive pastoralist market development, specifically addressing challenges in fodder production, animal health, and breed improvement through backward integration. The narrative was further emphasized by county government representatives, with Yusuf Abdinoor, CEC Wajir County, and Stephen Mcharo, CEC Taita Taveta County, offering perspectives from their respective counties. Both stressed the need for tailored interventions and increased focus on the livestock industry. Dr. Idle Farah, Chairperson of the Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC), outlined the collaborative efforts of 10 ASAL counties in driving economic development. The FCDC’s coordination model presented an entry point for region interventions in the arid and semi-arid lands.
Dr. Denis Mujibi moderated a panel session by pastoralists on “Production and Livelihood Constraints for Pastoral and Rangeland Production Systems.” Tumal Orto from Marsabit County stressed the impact of climate change on pastoral communities, advocating for strategic livestock feed and water reserves. Agnes Tumpes from Kajiado County highlighted challenges in animal health, and water scarcity. She illustrated the need for communal dams and water reserves in supporting communal pasture planting. Abdi Adan from Isiolo County discussed the impact of climate change on rangelands and animal health in Isiolo. He proposed the following solutions: rangeland management, vaccination, and cooperative development. David Samana from Samburu County discussed the importance of strategic reserves for climate change adaptation. Additionally, he explored the potential and challenges associated with cooperatives in different regions. Dr. Njenga addressed the impact of inadequate infrastructure, insecurity and the role of cooperatives in land management and social cohesion.
Nicholas Ngahu, CEO of KEMLEIC spoke about difficulties in the meat supply chain during the market panel on “Unlocking Sustainable and Inclusive Linkages that Transform Pastoral Markets.” The panel discussion was moderated by Sonya Hoo of Boston Consulting Group. Mr. Nicholas Ngahu referenced the progress made in Artificial Insemination in the USA to increase twinning rates and how to deal with emissions by increasing uptake on one-year-old animals, unlike the current 4–8 year old livestock in the market. Dr. Thomas Owino revealed that 10 percent of beef is supplied to the market for offtake while shoats supply was 20–25 percent, indicating the presence of older animals in the value chain and necessitating the need for mass culling to avail younger animals in the market. Doreen Gatiri, CEO of GENCO Livestock and Fresh Meat Export Limited, revealed that one-year-old animals were scarce, with desirable marbling and fat content. Dr. Chip Stem of Livestock Trade Services pointed out the opportunity for live animals in the market and that since it is not presently profitable to add value for local consumption, there is a need for backward integration to increase local value capture and drive export markets. Harith Sheikh, Director of KenMeat, called for interventions in branding. He highlighted that meat exported to GCC markets from Kenya is often branded differently, emphasizing the need for increased capacity to change the mindset in pastoral production systems from holding livestock to commercialization.
The open session, facilitated by Kinyua Mbijjiwe, sparked a cascade of ideas and observations. These ranged from the need for financial literacy to the untapped potential of pastoral production. The discussions also touched on the necessity for increased intervention on quarantine, certification for GCC export markets, the establishment of holding grounds, and the identification of opportunities in aged meat. Furthermore, participants explored the establishment of feed and water banks along IGAD corridors.
Success stories, collaborative forums, and a call for action resonated through the closing remarks by Prof. Ruth Kiraka who underscored the commitment to putting pastoralists and women and youth at the heart of transformative initiatives. The convening ignited a transformative dialogue and laid the groundwork for a collaborative journey in sustainable and inclusive transformation of pastoral markets in the arid and semi-arid lands.
Article by Ann Waimiri
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