Livestock production is a key economic sector in Taita Taveta County, and accounts for over 40% of agricultural earnings. The demand for animal source foods is on the rise due to increasing human population and the expanding middle class. The main livestock types kept include cattle, goats, sheep, camels, donkeys and poultry. The main feeds include roughages but climate change has adversely affected pasture and fodder production in cultivated and natural vegetation systems. According to a national feed inventory and feed balance assessment conducted in 2019, the County had a fee d deficit of 23% based on livestock dry matter (DM) requirements. The deficit was further exacerbated to about 60% by a prolonged drought experienced in 2022. To promote growth of the county feed industry, a 10-year Animal Feed Strategy was developed. The strategy aimed at bridging the feed gap, and enhancing livestock numbers and livestock products by addressing challenges in the feed industry. The strategy also sought to ensure rangeland resources were managed sustainably as well as guided decisions in land use planning and investments. To meet the feed requirements by the tenth year of the strategy, USD $282.2 million was to be spent to produce 5.74 billion metric tonnes of DM feeds. The industry was to realize an annual net income of USD $133 million and create 6,000 jobs.
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