Alice 2013 full report

FINAL REPORT
AFRICAN LIVESTOCK CONFERENCE AND
EXHIBITION (ALiCE 2013)
HELD ON 26th
– 28th
JUNE, 2013 AT SAFARI
PARK HOTEL – NAIROBI, KENYA
Theme: ‘Towards a Competitive and
Sustainable World-class Livestock Sector’
alice2013@livestockafrica.com
www.livestockafrica.com

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CONTENTS
ACRONYMS..................................................................................................................................... 3
CONFERENCE OPENING............................................................................................................... 4
SESSION ONE: THE GLOBAL LIVESTOCK SITUATION ....................................................... 12
Opportunities for a sustainable and competitive livestock sector in Africa ................................ 12
Animal health and welfare in a changing trade and food security environment in Africa .......... 13
One Goal: Different Routes; Towards Improved Livestock Health ............................................ 15
Plenary Discussions ..................................................................................................................... 17
SESSION TWO: LIVESTOCK SECTOR POLICIES AND ECONOMICS.................................. 19
Policy Framework for Pastoralism in Africa ............................................................................... 19
Linking farmers to (high value) livestock product markets: Opportunities and challenges in
Southern and Eastern Africa ........................................................................................................... 21
Investing in African Livestock: Business opportunities in 2030-2050........................................ 23
SESSION THREE: LIVESTOCK FARMING FOR GLOBAL MARKET.................................... 26
A new approach to livestock service delivery ............................................................................. 26
Drawing from the indigenous African livestock genomes - a dart aimed at sustainability......... 29
Towards a competitive and sustainable African world class livestock: ...................................... 30
SESSION FOUR: A LOOK AT DAIRY, BEEF, POULTRY AND PIGS VALUE CHAINS ...... 35
Unleashing the potential of admix crossbred dairy cattle populations:....................................... 35
The untapped potential: the pig sector in Kenya ......................................................................... 38
Metabolic Disorders in Dairy Cow: Nutritional Manipulations .................................................. 40
The Kuroiler chicken as a means of reducing poverty and providing nutritional security in
Uganda............................................................................................................................................. 42
General comments, questions and answers.................................................................................. 43
SESSION FIVE: LIVESTOCK SECTOR; FEEDING AFRICA.................................................... 44
Kenya Animal Genetics Resource Centre.................................................................................... 44
Aflatoxins: Impact on Livestock and Livestock Trade................................................................ 46
Genetic resources for family poultry production in India............................................................ 48
SESSION SIX: TOWARDS A COMPETITIVE AND SUSTAINABLE LIVESTOCK SECTOR50
Growing away from Grants – African Livestock Catalytic Fund................................................ 50
Sustainable livestock. For People, for the Planet......................................................................... 53
RECOMMENDATIONS................................................................................................................. 55
FIELD TRIPS .................................................................................................................................. 56
Brookside livestock breeders show and sale 2013....................................................................... 56
Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre (KAGRC).................................................................. 57
Tassells Cattle Farms ................................................................................................................... 59
Isinya Poultry Farm and Animal Feed Manufacturers................................................................. 63
LIST OF SPONSORS, PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS............................................................ 64
ANNEXE I: CONFERENCE PROGRAM...................................................................................... 66
ANNEXE II: LIST OF EXHIBITORS............................................................................................ 72
ANNEXE III: List of Participants.................................................................................................... 73

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ACRONYMS
AI Artificial Insemination
AU African Union
AU-IBAR African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources
BMC Botswana Meat Commission
CAIS Central Artificial Insemination Station
CGIAR Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
EAFF Eastern Africa Farmers Federation
EASZ East African Shorthorn Zebu
ESADA Eastern and Southern Africa Dairy Association
FAO Food and Agricultural Organization
GALVmed Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines
ILRI International Livestock Research Institute
KAGRC Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre
KCC Kenya Co-operative Creameries
KLPA Kenya Livestock Producers Association
NTBs Non-Tariff Barriers
OiE World Organization for Animal Health
PPP Public Private Partnerships
PACA Partnership for Aflatoxin Control in Africa

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BACKGROUND
The African Livestock Conference and Exhibition (ALiCE) was held in Nairobi, Kenya on June
26th
to 28th
, 2013. It was the result of a long running initiative that grew from the observation that
there was no major forum that brings together public and private sector interests in the livestock
industry at the continental level. EAFF, KLPA and ESADA responding to a request from UK
organized the conference to bring together various actors in the livestock sector in Africa to
stimulate trade in livestock and livestock products as well as facilitate technology and knowledge
transfer. ALiCE is, to date, the largest convergence of stakeholders in the livestock sector in
Africa. Alice brought together suppliers of animal genetics, animal health products, animal feed
and forage, farm equipment; animal products’ processors and processing equipment, livestock
consultants, distributors and producers.
CONFERENCE OPENING
The chair of the first session, Dr. Kipkurui Arap Langat, the chairman of ESADA opened the
meeting by welcoming all to the AliCE 2013 conference. He saluted the Chief Guest, Honorable
Felix Kiptarus Kosgey, the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries
Development and congratulated him on his appointment. He gave details of the array of
participants present including; leading livestock sector experts across the sectors’ value chains,
renowned business leaders, agricultural researchers and scientists, government officials, Livestock
Producers and other livestock sector players who came together to share knowledge, experiences,
solutions and technologies that will create the desired impetus for enhanced competitiveness and
trade in the African livestock sector. He extended a hearty welcome to the delegates representing
the following countries; Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Southern Sudan, Democratic republic
of Congo, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, South Africa, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia, Liberia, Gambia,
Botswana, Djibouti, Israel, Germany, Italy, Nepal, Egypt, Maldives, USA, France, India, Namibia,
Netherlands, Burundi, Canada and UK.
He stated that this annual Africa livestock event is a brainchild of AU-IBAR, ILRI and GALVmed.
The three ALiCE 2013 host organizations jointly developed the conference as one of the means of
addressing the challenges facing the livestock sector in Africa. He observed that the livestock
sector in sub-Saharan Africa continues to underperform due to the following reasons;
 Low on-farm productivity

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 Constrained Market access
 Poor competitive Product quality
 Poorly resourced and underperforming livestock services
 Unfavorable operating environments(particularly policies, but also investment, technical
support and information)
ALiCE’s origin is founded on the basis of these challenges with a view to providing knowledge,
solutions, technologies and insights to continually address these and future challenges in the
African livestock sector while positioning the African livestock sector in the global livestock map.
In summary he reiterated that the African Livestock sector conference and exhibition is aimed at
achieving two complementary goals;
 Knowledge sharing and technology, Solutions and transfer of best practices
 Networking and businesses linkages for increased intra-regional trade in livestock and
livestock products.
In particular the African Livestock conference and exhibition will deliver the following benefits to
the players in the livestock sector in the region;
 Highlight opportunities for livestock sector investments in Africa
 Afford the regions livestock producers, service providers and industry suppliers a unique
opportunity to showcase their products for benchmarking and trade.
 Expose livestock sector stakeholders (producers and suppliers) to new technologies,
solutions and ideas for improved competitiveness
 Provide a platform for the regions livestock community to discuss and recommend
solutions to policy, regulatory and industry bottlenecks that impede livestock, livestock
products and services trade and development in the sector.
 Provide a platform for sharing and disseminating research works in the livestock sector.
He also recognized the support of USAID for facilitating over 2000 farmers to attend the
exhibitions and livestock breeders show, as well as the Swiss Agency for Development and
Cooperation for supporting farmers and other stakeholders from Eastern Africa to attend the
livestock event.
He informed the participants that the speakers would be presenting a wide range of topics
including;
 The global livestock situation

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 Livestock sector policies and economics
 Livestock farming for the global market
 Highlights of the major livestock value chains
 Livestock sector; feeding Africa
 Towards a competitive and sustainable livestock sector.
He said that in total there were 27 exhibitors drawn Kenya, Tanzania, Belgium, Israel, India,
Germany, Italy and France and he urged the participants to pay a visit to the exhibitors.
OPENING AND WELCOME REMARKS
Remarks by EAFF CEO Steve Muchiri
He conveyed congratulations to the Cabinet Secretary from the farmers of EAFF. He stated that
Kenya is the home of the Pan-African Farmers Organization (PAFO) which was launched in
Lilongwe; Malawi in 2011 and the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) which was launched
in 2005. Nairobi was chosen as the capital for the farmers of Africa and farmers of the region
because it is a regional hub due to its proximity to important institutions serving Agriculture such
as AU-IBAR and ILRI and is relatively stable with a vibrant agriculture sector.
He further stated that EAFF is a regional network of apex and national organizations of farmers
that are co-operatives, farmer unions, agriculture commodity associations, Livestock organizations,
women and youth organizations in Agriculture. EAFF was formed out of the need for
representation of farmers and dialogue on agriculture development related issues in the different
Regional Economic Communities (RECs). EAFF has 22 member organizations spread in over 10
countries of Eastern Africa - stretching from EAC; IGAD to DR Congo. EAFF’s membership
comprises over 20 million family farmers as well as small holders. These represent the entire
spectrum of Agriculture from Crops, Livestock, Fisheries and Agro-forestry. This membership is
however only a paltry 20% of the entire farming community in the region. In this conference,
EAFF supported the participation of 30 livestock farmers who are the EAFF delegates from eight
countries. EAFF has a vision to enhance cohesion and prosperity of farmers and does this through
representation, advocacy and developing capacity. Regional integration was also mentioned as
important to EAFF as it is the basis on which it was founded. EAFF believes that as a region, we

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can form a formidable economically competitive block since the region is endowed with enormous
wealth and untapped resources that need to be harnessed.
EAFF has a strategic framework (2012-2020) whose orientation is “Commercialization through
farmer enterprises”, which emphasizes the need for farmers to play their role as key actors in any
value chain. To deliver on this framework, EAFF has formed partnerships with different
Stakeholders such as the regional farmer organizations of the continent with whom they launched
the Pan-African Farmers Organization (PAFO) that engages with AUC-NPCA and globally with
Governments. EAFF has MoUs with EAC; COMESA and IGAD and are currently pursuing an
MoU with EALA. Within the private sector, EAFF has MoUs with the East Africa Business
Council and East Africa Grain Council. Among Research institutions, EAFF sits in the Boards of
ASARECA and FARA as well as in NGOs working in Agriculture. They are also engaged in
decision making committees such as the CAADP Multi Donor Trust Fund process, AfDB Africa
Fertilizer Financing Mechanism, Partnership for Afflatoxin Control in Africa (PACA) at the AUC
among others. EAFF believes these partnerships will help protect, support and transform small
scale agriculture which feeds over 2 billion people globally into a sustainable and economically
viable enterprise.
EAFF believes that Livestock is an important sector in this region especially based on the fact that
over 70% of the regions land is used for livestock production. He stated that according to UNDP,
any single drought event in a 12 year period in a country can result in 7-10% drop in GDP and this
translates to 12-14% increase in poverty. Further to this, the increasing frequency and magnitude
of drought is taking a toll on a many lives besides negatively affecting the livelihoods of an
increasing number of people thus impeding the achievement of MDGs especially goal number one
on reducing hunger.
EAFF has thus developed a livestock strategy with specific thrusts towards resilience and
competitiveness. This informed EAFF’s contribution to the finalization of the “IGAD Regional
CAADP compact and investment plan” a process to which it is a signatory.
He re-emphasized that ALiCE is an important platform for livestock farmers to share and learn
about developments in the sector, access information on technologies available, have meetings
with various value chain actors and chart the way forward with respect to favorable policies and
programs to grow this sector. EAFF is very much aware of the contribution by the dairy sector

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over the years in uplifting millions of farmers from poverty as well as contributing towards the
nutrition of millions of pre-school and school going children. EAFF encourages other investors to
use a similar approach of working with farmers in out-grower schemes/contracts and even
supporting co-operatives.
He said it’s worth noting that the entire Agriculture sector is facing numerous challenges and
Livestock in particular has specific ones which are not limited to the challenges of pests and
disease, related escalating cost of inputs and livestock feeds which have doubled in the last 5 years,
unpredictable weather, un-certain land tenure and conflicts, low value addition and disorganized
markets. He stated that with concerted efforts, mutual partnerships and right investments these
challenges can be addressed.
The EAFF CEO further stated that there are major international investment vehicles being put up
to improve the livelihoods of farmers within the continent such as Grow Africa, The New alliance
for Food Security and Nutrition, Renewed partnership for unified approach to End hunger in
Africa by 2025 among others. However, caution should be taken by the governments to protect
African Agriculture and ensure their markets are not vanquished, that farmers and other smaller
enterprises are not exploited and exposed. Governments MUST do so by providing leadership on
public policy and ensuring that the CAADP process that our leaders assented to in 2003 in Maputo
remains Africa led and Africa owned.
He concluded that COMESA has an annual food import bill exceeding 22billion USD, this deficit
is currently not serviced by the African farmers but EAFF believes African farmers can do it if
they:
 Invest in organizing producer organizations into enterprises
 Invest in and protect ALL institutions that support the work of farmers research/
aggregation and marketing boards; banks; institutions providing inputs etc
 Support the development of markets for livestock and value addition for livestock products
 Encourage the development and promotion of innovative and affordable pro-poor
investment instruments and credit accessible to farmers
 Mitigate risks associated with climate change
 Invest in knowledge systems that enhance learning; sharing and exchanges
 invest in real time data collection and analysis to enhance competitiveness

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 ensure the right policy environment in a process that involves participation of farmers
Remarks by Dr. Ahmed Assawali, Director, African Union’s Inter-African Bureau for
Animal Resources (AU-IBAR)
The AU-IBAR Director paid special tribute to the Government of Kenya for supporting AU-IBAR
since its inception in 1951. AU-IBAR is a specialized technical office of the African Union
commission mandated to support and coordinate the development and utilization of animal
resources in Africa. He quoted recent statistics showing that Africa is home to a significant
proportion of the world’s population of livestock including about 80% of the camels, 32% of the
goats, 25% of the sheep and 18% of the cattle. However, Africa remains a net importer of almost
all livestock products with an annual outflow of over 6 billion US dollars to finance the imports.
These imports are an indication of significant and growing market opportunities for African
livestock producers, processors and retailers in livestock surplus countries and regions to out-
compete and recapture the markets from external actors. He however said that millions of
pastoralists who depend solely on livestock for their livelihoods are among the most vulnerable
communities to the impacts of the recurrent droughts that mainly affect the Horn of Africa and the
Sahel regions of this continent.
He appreciated that over the years African governments have set aside resources for the livestock
sector, but noted that gaps still exist between commitments at regional level and efforts at
individual country level. He brought to light the limited investment initiatives in the livestock
sector by both government and the private sector.
He stated that there is an urgent need for Africa to identify and prioritize livestock value chains for
which there is a comparative advantage, for targeted but holistic investments in order to make a
positive and significant difference in the contribution of the livestock sector to the continent’s
economic development. These he said calls for appropriate policies, strategies and investments by
the public and private sectors at continental, regional and national levels.
He recommended among others the need to engage more with the salaried citizens in uplifting the
livestock sector and the need to create credible and reliable data for the livestock sector and the
translation of policies and commitments to actual implementation.

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Remarks by Dr. Jimmy Smith, Director General of ILRI
The Director General of ILRI also congratulated the Cabinet Secretary on his appointment. He
informed the conference that ILRI and CGIAR are ready to work with governments in advancing
the livestock sector. He announced that the conference theme ‘Towards a Competitive and
Sustainable World-class Livestock Sector’ was in response to the global concern on the need for
the world to feed itself in light of the rising population. The livestock sector will play a key role in
food and nutrition security and the deliberations of the conference will confirm the importance of
the livestock sector towards this goal. He explained the developing world contributes 30% of the
global livestock sector supply and 70% of this supply is from small holders in Africa. Discussions
should focus on how to enhance the participation of smallholders in the livestock value chain and
contribution in meeting the rising food import bills. Dr. Smith implored ministers and ministries to
support the transformation of the livestock
sector. He decried the justifications often
presented for neglecting the livestock sector
including contribution to climate change and
health hazards by clarifying that these can be
addressed through good food choices and
carbon emission reduction strategies. Through
the conference and exhibition, opportunities and
solutions to challenges in the sector would be
demonstrated.
Remarks by Guest of Honour – Honorable Felix Kiptarus Kosgey
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary; Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Development
In his speech, the Cabinet Secretary informed the conference that Kenya’s blueprint for long-term
development, Vision 2030, underscored the role of the livestock sector. For this reason the
Government of Kenya has put in place various initiatives to develop the sector. The government of
Kenya’s main agenda for the agriculture sector is food and nutrition security through supporting
critical areas. This includes a shift from rain-fed agriculture to irrigation particularly for the large
ASAL areas of Kenya, by expanding existing irrigation schemes and opening up new ones;
promoting livestock sector; focusing on research to enable employment of technologies that will

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achieve maximum returns; information dissemination and training of farmers with a focus on
youth and women primarily on access to credit. In this regard, the government has set aside a KSh.
2 billion fund to eliminate the risk associated with loans issued to farmers by commercial banks.
This fund is expected to increase to KSh. 20 billion within the next four years. He further stated
that in the current budget, a total of KSh. 38.07 billion was allocated to address famine and turn
around agriculture. He also indicated that the government intends to build 50 markets that will link
90 producer groups as a way of promoting business growth.
Plans are also underway to increase fish productivity as a viable income generating activity by
increasing the number of fingerlings supplied to farmers, restoring fishery stocks and habitats,
establishing recreational marine parks, providing cold chain facilities and fish auction centers
across the country. Plans for the livestock sector include increasing the number of abattoirs by
constructing 21 medium sized abattoirs and supporting 260 farmers with milk value addition
facilities; enhancing Artificial Insemination services by allocating funds to assist 630 livestock
farmers access artificial insemination services, disease reduction efforts whereby on the onset the
GOK intends to vaccinate 61 million livestock in the next five years. He concluded by explaining
that the GOK welcomes partnerships with other governments as well as with private sector.
The Cabinet Secretary indicated that
the government of Kenya is ready to
work with sector stakeholders,
researchers, NGOs and other partners
to make the livestock sector
competitive. He conveyed his
optimism that the conference and
exhibition would generate innovative
ways forward for the livestock sector.
Honorable Kiptarus gave a hand in
appreciating the sponsors of the conference and exhibition by issuing them with plaques of honor.

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SESSION ONE: THE GLOBAL LIVESTOCK SITUATION
Opportunities for a sustainable and competitive livestock sector in Africa
By Dr. Jimmy Smith, ILRI Director General
Dr. Smith recognized that the global livestock sector is growing rapidly at 40% of agriculture GDP
and will continue to do so into the foreseeable future. Four out of five of the highest value global
commodities are livestock i.e. cow milk, indigenous cattle meat, indigenous pig meat and
indigenous chicken meat. Drivers of the global livestock sector trends include population growth
with over 9 billion people to feed by 2050; income growth and rapid urbanization.
These imply that major opportunities exist for Africa’s livestock sector. Livestock sector provides
food and nutritional security, powers economic development, improves human health and
enhances the environment but pollution, land/water degradation, Green house Gas emissions and
biodiversity losses must be greatly reduced.
Even though Africa recognizes the central importance of agriculture for development, livestock is
still often under-represented, a situation that must change. Africa is a net importer of animal-
sourced foods because production has not kept pace with consumption growth. Inherent
complexities of the livestock sector are: it intersects with all other smallholder agricultural
production systems; impinges on key environmental and human health issues; forces hard trade-
offs such as food, feed or bio-fuels.
In this regard, Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) seeks to;
employ agriculture-led growth to achieve MDG1 of halving poverty and hunger by 2015, pursue
6% average annual sector growth at national level, allocate 10% of national budgets to the
agriculture sector, exploit regional complementarities and cooperation to boost growth, support
evidence-based policymaking, include farmers, agribusiness, civil society in partnerships and
alliances.
To meet the growing demand with sustainable African production systems rather than imports,
several things have to be done differently, for instance having private-public synergies such as
Innovative franchise models providing smallholders with access to agro-vets ( e.g. ‘Sidai’ in
Kenya) ; New low-cost, pen-side diagnostic tools that are providing diagnostics for smallholder
settings; New mobile phone systems that are helping farmers monitor the health and reproduction
of their animals (‘iCow’ in Kenya); Index based livestock insurance that is reducing risk for

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pastoralists using banking, insurance and IT from private sector innovation; East Africa Dairy
Development (EADD) project that is connecting farmers to service providers and new business
opportunities through a hub model.
Research solutions are needed to transform Africa’s livestock sector. Critical interventions for
smallholder producers required to facilitate increased access to markets, technology (feeds,
breeds, health) and adopt enabling policies as well as new institutional and business models. New
investments and institutional reforms are needed to take livestock sector successes to a higher
scale. Taking action now, together and coherently, can ensure that Africa’s livestock sector is
competitive and sustainable. Key shifts are to provide more public sector attention to create an
appropriate enabling environment for large and small scale producers; giving attention to local
markets while promoting continental trade; shift from a hazard to a risk based approach to
regulating food safety, market access and trade policies; promoting access to markets –link rural
infrastructure development to the needs of the agriculture sector; avoiding reckless attempts at
‘leap frogging’ and strengthening research and extension delivery services. This is in recognition
that market access promotes a technology demand pull.
Animal health and welfare in a changing trade and food security environment in Africa
By Dr. Walter N. Masiga, Representative for Eastern Africa World Organisation for Animal
Health
Dr. Masiga started with a bold statement that ‘Africa is no longer the doomed continent!’ He
went on to inform that by 2050 with a population of 9 billion, the world demand for milk, meat and
eggs will have increased by 70%. Currently the per capita consumption of meat in Africa is
estimated at 54 kg in Southern Africa, 24 kg in North Africa and a mere 12 kg in West Africa.
It therefore goes without saying that animal health and welfare practices are and will be deeply
affected by the changing political, social, cultural and environmental parameters that challenge our
conventional animal production and health systems in Africa.
Unfortunately the livestock sector is faced with many challenges. Global warming affects the
distribution of many vectors of animal diseases on the continent. The geographical coverage and
frequency of outbreaks of diseases such as West Nile fever, Blue tongue and Rift Valley fever, as
well as dengue fever (chikungunya) and malaria, have been extended due to the resilience of their
vectors to the changing patterns of temperature and rainfall. Urbanization, deforestation, and the
encroachment of human settlements into pristine nature, have led to destruction of habitats for

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some disease vectors e.g. tsetse fly species. Additionally closer cohabitation between man, animal
and vector has led to increase in re‐emerging and emerging diseases of man and animal.
On the other hand emission by cattle and small ruminants of methane and other gasses from
manure and stomach fermentation have been blamed for contributing to global warming and the
greenhouse effect. Additionally degradation of CO2‐capturing vegetation due to overgrazing,
erosion, the deforestation undertaken to open up more land for cattle farming, and the depletion of
water resources for cattle and livestock in general have contributed to global warming and the
greenhouse effect.
Soaring demographics have led to increased conflicts between pastoralists and cultivators; food
producers and nature (wildlife) conservationists, for dwindling natural resources. Regional
integration and the globalization of trade have also led to increasing pressure on prices, with local
markets facing unhealthy competition.
The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) democratically attempts to devise trade
standards and internationally binding agreements on many of the challenges. Every year trade
standards are created, revised, fine‐tuned and abolished where necessary, to ensure trade of
livestock and livestock products is facilitated without endangering food safety, condoning animal
cruelty or discriminating poorer nations.
OIE supports focal points for wildlife in the design and setting of new standards, as well as the
increased involvement of African states in the approval process of these standards; the separation
of disease status in domestic (and captive wild animals) from wild animals. OIE has invested
considerable resources and expertise in providing a sound scientific basis for animal welfare
standards, hitherto entirely handled by the global private agri‐food business as so called industry or
private standards.
In spite of all these challenges, tremendous opportunities for innovative approaches to help feed a
rapidly growing world population and provide consumers with varied, healthy, and balanced
animal proteins exist. Aquaculture production (farmed fish) will supply most of the animal protein
in future and by 2020 farmed fish will account for 68% of overall fish consumption. Accessing
world markets for beef will be possible through large scale operations so as to take advantage of
economies of scale.

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One Goal: Different Routes; Towards Improved Livestock Health
By Dr. Peter Jeffries, Chief Executive: GALVmed
An important aspect of profitable and efficient livestock production is a focus on health and
welfare, driven primarily by prevention and where necessary, through treatment of disease.
Dr. Jeffries explained that small scale livestock farmers require veterinary support that is reliable
and provides sustainable supply of products; appropriate pack size; market opportunities with fair
prices; good quality products and not counterfeits. However, perceived risks for investing in Africa
by animal health companies include: reduced protection of intellectual property; fake products;
inefficiency of markets coupled with complex distribution channels and lack of a level playing
field.
Progress in product development and supply to meet the specific needs of Africa is slow because
of several hindrances including:
 Technical challenges
 Ease of registration
 Counterfeit products
 Market accessibility
 Distribution outlets - cold chain
 Limited research and development budgets
 Prioritisation of projects
These hindrances increases concerns about business viability in Africa, although the perception is
rapidly changing.
In light of all these hindrances, different stakeholders have key roles to play in improving the
livestock sector as shown below:
Government
 Management of notifiable disease
 Vet product accreditation
 Counterfeit control
Private sector Pharmaceuticals
 Development & registration of suitable
products for Africa
 Marketing & sale of products

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 Food security
 Food safety
 Animal welfare
 Adverse reaction reporting & investigation
 Support for private sector veterinarians
Private sector Veterinarians
Opportunity to establish private clinics
without concerns that NGOs or others will
disturb the market with free or heavily
subsidised products or services
Livestock Keepers
 Efficient production systems
 Animal welfare
 Demand for product availability
 Efficient markets for sale
GALVmed is currently supported by the UK Government's Department for International
Development (DFID) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with projects having been funded
by the European Commission. Its role in the virtuos circle:
 A livestock health Product development and adoption Partnership organisation
 A not-for-profit company - Public-Private Partnership and registered charity
 Pro-poor focused: working with key partners to make a sustainable difference in access to
animal health products for poor livestock keepers
For product development and supply GALVmed makes available and facilitates adoption of
livestock health products for some of the 900 million people who rely on livestock for their
livelihoods by undertaking the following activities:
 Intervention in all necessary links of the value chain, including: Product development,
registration, manufacture, distribution, commercialisation and delivery to the end user
 Building capacity (upstream and downstream)
 Market development and adoption by creation of sustainable value chains
 Understanding and influencing policy to enable the above
 Advocating for livestock as a route out of poverty

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GALVmed pursues all these through partnerships and linkages of major national and international
bodies involved in Animal Health i.e. animal Health Industry, Research Institutions, Universities,
donors, governments and livestock Keepers; listening to end users; de-risking product
development and supply.
Plenary Discussions
The first session was aimed at assessing where the livestock sector currently is, where it is headed
to (2015 to 2030), what opportunities are there for exploitation and the policy and priority changes
required.
Small holder farmers are responsible for a large proportion of production, they are not
heterogeneous and often mix crop and livestock production activities. Small land sizes favour crop
sector more than the livestock sector while the crop sector also supports the livestock through
provision of fodder. It was reiterated that there is need to change these farming systems so as to
meet the rising consumption demands from the rising populationra. This requires policies that
incorporate animal welfare.
It was noted that attempts to commercialise animal enterprises are succeeding in small measure
because small scale farmers use livestock to enhance food security or raised as pets. To improve
the competitiveness of small holders, farmers should be encouraged to upgrade livestock keeping
to business enterprises. The government and NGOs on the other hand sometimes distort markets
through subsidies and this should be re-examined in light of appropriate and inappropriate
subsidies. Appropriate subsidies should be temporal measures to avert a crisis and for uplifting
very bad circumstances. Inappropriate subsidies are provided where/when people can afford.
Research and development should come up with strategies/technologies that are friendly to the
youth and ensuring markets for livestock are available.
Questions and answers
A participant from Uganda involved with young farmers in advancing techno agriculture sought
to know why counterfeit products are competing “effectively”. The fact that there are counterfeits

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means that there is a need for those drugs. The way forward on counterfeit drugs for long term
success should focus on the cost of the drugs and the promotion of the advantages of using better
quality products by farmers that add value to the enterprise and therefore result in higher
profitability levels. Emphasis should be on appropriate subsidies while avoiding inappropriate
subsidies. Subsidized drugs should be discouraged as this mode of supply is not sustainable in the
long-term. The government should put in place right policies to enhance food safety and protect
end users from unqualified community animal health workers. Governments should also ensure
good quality inputs through effective regulation and regulatory agencies.
What is the role of private veterinarians (community animal health workers vis a vis
professional veterinarians considering emerging community livestock extension workers who
also have access to drugs? Community based animal workers play a key role by offering
alternative and affordable services. They are also accessible particularly to pastoralists and farmers
in remote areas. They should however, work under strict supervision to ensure quality. Within
OIE, community based animal health workers are not recognised under the regulated standards and
professionals.
India is a major exporter of meat despite the big risk of foot and mouth disease. How can the
East African livestock sector learn from this experience to strengthen its global competitiveness
and improve food safety while reducing risk? The most effective lesson is putting up the right
infrastructure to ensure animal health. OIE has regulations regarding trade in livestock and
livestock products that need to be adhered to. Additionally, since only 10% of livestock and
livestock products from the East African region is traded outside/exported while 90% is traded
locally; more efforts should be put towards improving local markets. The Export thresholds for
European markets are very high and it’s therefore advisable to focus on the high potential local
markets. Smallholder farmers are also encouraged to commercialize their undertakings to be more
competitive.
What policies are there to ensure control and handling of veterinary pharmaceuticals is
effectively regulated so that they are not found in the food chains? A veterinary pharmaceuticals
control bill should be developed to ensure veterinary products are not deposited in the food chain.

19
Drugs in Africa are resistant e.g. acaricides are not able to kill ticks, east coast fever is out of
control etc. Is it because of counterfeits or the research and design process is weak? On the
other hand how can the supply and distribution of vaccines be improved? Governments should
take the responsibility of tracking and monitoring drugs more seriously. The private sector should
also identify potential areas for investment with regards to control of diseases. It should also be
noted that the issue of east coast fever is partially as a result of counterfeit drugs and poor research.
There is also a need for clear government responsibilities to determine the right concentrations of
the drugs.
Other comments from the floor
The virtual circle by Dr. Smith should be broadened to include agribusiness markets and put the
farmers at the centre. If we are to succeed in raising the profile of livestock in the economy lets
engage policy makers to invest in livestock market infrastructure in the broad sense and let us also
look at the whole livestock value chain components focussing mainly on production and marketing
including other support components like input supply and veterinary services.
SESSION TWO: LIVESTOCK SECTOR POLICIES AND ECONOMICS
Policy Framework for Pastoralism in Africa
By Dr. Simplice Nouala, AU-IBAR
The rationale for a policy framework for pastorailsm in Africa is premised on:
1. The peculiar features/challenges of pastoralism in Africa including:
• extreme and worsening levels of poverty and food insecurity;
• political and economical marginalization;
• environmental degradation and dwindling access to resources (land, water, pastures)
and basic services (e.g. health, education);
• uneven market relationships and increased pressure on fragile eco-systems
• exposure to climatic risks, diseases, conflicts and insecurity
2. Inadequacy/irrelevance of Responses
• Inadequate governance frameworks,
• ineffective institutional settings,

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• Policy biases against pastoralists (e.g., development and trade),
• Ineffective interventions because of their irrelevance (don’t reflect pastoralist realities
and circumstances)
The Policy Framework for Pastoralism in Africa arises from the need for a continent-wide
platform to effectively address, in a holistic manner, the many challenges of pastoral communities.
It’s a Joint AUC and the UNOCHA initiative.
The process started with regional assessments, stakeholders’ consultations, followed by adoption
by political leaders and finally policy implementation. A specialists task force was set up
(composed of high level experts from each of the regions) to:
• Serve as quality assurance mechanism, providing periodic guidance at each stage of the
process of elaborating the pastoral policy framework.
• serve as the interface between the technical and the political setting of the initiative;
Milestones so far:
• Launched in July 2007 in Isiolo, Kenya
• Regional assessments and stakeholders consultations held in the period 2008-2010
• Policy framework approved by Ministerial Conference in October 2010
• Decision on “Africa’s Pastoralism” adopted by AU Assembly of Heads of States and
governments in January 2011
The goals of the Policy Framework are to secure, protect and improve the lives, livelihoods and
rights of African pastoralists; an advocacy tool for promoting the development and improvement
of pastoral communities across Africa; a tool for harnessing the economic and technical resources
needed to empower pastoral communities; a platform for mobilizing and coordinating political
commitment to pastoral development in Africa and facilitate engagement with regional and
country-level planning processes.
The objectives and strategies to achieve the policy are:
Objective 1: Secure and protect the lives, livelihoods and rights of pastoral peoples and ensure
continent-wide commitment to political, social and economic development of pastoral
communities and pastoral areas.
 Recognize the role of pastoralism in development
 Demonstrating commitment to pastoral policy development

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 Integrating pastoral issues into decision-making processes
 Acknowledge the legitimacy of indigenous pastoral institutions
 Strengthening the role and rights of women in pastoral communities
 Mainstreaming pastoral issues in poverty reduction programs
 Service delivery (health, education…)
Objective 2: Reinforce the contribution of pastoral livestock wealth to national, regional and
continent-wide economies.
 Pastoral rangeland governance
 Policy support to mobility within and between countries
 Protecting pastoral livestock assets
 Marketing of pastoral livestock and livestock products
 Financial and insurance services tailored to pastoral areas
 Protect African genetic resources –animals and plants
 Research and extension
Linking farmers to (high value) livestock product markets: Opportunities and challenges in
Southern and Eastern Africa By Dr. Hikuepi (Epi) Katjiuongua and Amos Omore
The global demand and particularly African demand for animal-sourced foods is estimated to be
‘’extraordinarily high’’ due to population growth, urbanization, and increasing incomes. Despite
the growth potential, African countries’ production will not keep pace with consumption growth,
and Africa is still expected to continue being a net importer of animal sourced foods.
Dr. Hikuepi shared lessons on beef from two Southern African countries - Namibia and Botswana
and dairy in Eastern Africa. Namibia is among the top ten beef exporters to the EU and has
penetrated the high-end retail market. This was aided by smart branding and marketing with a shift
from selling a commodity to selling attributes. The country established a credible cattle traceability
system: FANMEAT certification. Although costly, it signals compliance with international SPS
standards and EU requirements. Namibia has more policy and private sector engagement eg
Ekwatho finance project which links livestock producers to the market and offers value addition.
Namibia has exported beef to the EU for the last 20 years even though it holds only 3% market
share. Regrettably, disease status in Northern Namibia limits greater participation of small
livestock producers.

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Botswana on the other hand had inconsistent supply due to export bans arising from the FMD
disease challenge resulting in key beef exporters facing financial losses. The country focused
primarily on the EU market neglecting regional and domestic market opportunities. Botswana
Market structure for the livestock value chain is monopolized by the Botswana Meat Commission
(BMC). BMC controls exports as the sole buyer and seller leading to little competition and low
producer prices. The abattoirs operate below capacity and therefore are not profitable with average
losses of 33 mil. USD (2009-2011). Traceability system and veterinary service provision are weak
thus inconsistent supply for farmers. The trade policy hinders regional trade as it restricts farmers
to sell live animals into regional markets. Livestock producers are unable to take advantage of
increasing weaner prices (e.g. SA market). Botswana has focused heavily on the EU market
neglecting local and regional market opportunities.
Small livestock producers in Botswana and Namibia have a great role to play including: Supplying
high-value livestock product markets – currently their participation is low because the costs of
moving to a weaner-ox production system are high (e.g. feed costs), animal disease and animal
welfare requirements is a challenge and locks out many suppliers and insufficient grazing land.
Greater participation in markets by Smallholder livestock producers can be increased through:
- Market diversification: market segmentation targeting regional and domestic markets
- Public private partnerships: finance mechanisms to overcome capital constraints faced by small
livestock producers and other value chain actors
- Coordination: to achieve economies of scale
- Diversity of smallholder livestock farmers: degree of market orientation
- Sharing costs of standards and compliance by the farmer, government and private sector.
Opportunities existing for the livestock sector include:
- High growth in domestic and regional demand of animal-sourced foods
- Increasing global meat product prices
- Inclusive livestock sector growth strategy: yields greater benefits for society at large
Challenges for the livestock sector:
- Low competitiveness and productivity (rising feed costs)
- High costs of compliance: SPS requirements in high value markets
- NTBs and high transport costs in regional markets

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- Export of lower quality livestock products and by-products into African markets
Way forward
1. Lower NTBs and improve regional integration: key to foster intra-regional trade and
investment.
2. Improve productivity and competitiveness so as to respond to the growing demand. Can be
achieved by Identifying and scaling out appropriate technologies to address production
constraints, lowering the cost of technology transfer and improve service delivery (e.g.
animal disease vaccine delivery) and improving risk mitigating and coping strategies.
3. Creation of smart linkages between private service providers and Value Chain actors. Its
critical to reduce risk and address binding constraints faced by Value Chain actors,
enhance economies of scale for producers and other value chain actors and provide support
for different types of small livestock producers who dominate in many countries.
4. Invest in livestock data. There is need to improve data collection systems and analytical
capacity to gain an accurate picture about markets (consumption and animal resource base)
so as to enhance information flow on market conditions and planning.
5. Trade agreements: EU-EPA trade agreement and others.
Investing in African Livestock: Business opportunities in 2030-2050
By Ugo Pica-Ciamarra (FAO), Derek Baker (ILRI), Nancy Morgan (FAO) Cheikh Ly (FAO) &
Simplice Nouala (AU-IBAR)
Africa is fast growing and this provides varoius business opportunities for the large scale
commercial enterprises, medium scale farmers and self employed/smallholders. Trends in demand
for consumption of livestock products are determined by food and non-food products, quantity,
quality, Input / output price, retail forms amongst many others.
Comparing the African livestock markets vs other world regions, African meat and milk market is
and will be smaller than most meat and milk markets in other world regions. African livestock
markets products including beef, milk, poultry, eggs, pork, mutton and sheep, with milk being the
largest market, followed by beef and poultry.
African livestock markets by regions ie western (ECOWAS), eastern (IGAD), central (ECCAS),
norther (UMA and Egypt) and southern (SADC).

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Milk 2005/07 = 32.4 mio tons
Eastern Africa and Northern Africa are the largest milk markets with over 60% of the increased
demand from milk in 2005/07- 2050 being from Eastern and Northern Africa. The annual growth
rate is approximately 2%-3% in all regions.
Beef 2005/07 = 4.7 mio tons
Beef market is relatively uniform in terms of its importance across regions. Over 70 % of the
increased demand for beef in 2005/07- 2050 is from Western, Southern and Eastern Africa with an
annual growth rate of approximately 2%-3% in all regions.
Poultry 2005/07 = 4.7 mio tons
The Poultry market is dominated by Southern and Northern Africa. Over 56% of the increased
demand in 2005/07- 2050 will be from Southern and Northern Africa; 20% from West Africa.
Annual growth rate approximately 3%-6% in all regions.
The trends indicate that African producers are partly unable to fully benefit from growing market
opportunities and trade balance is worsening. Imports of all livestock products are increasingly
critical to satisfy consumer’s demand.

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The fundamental questions based on the trends are how can livestock producers (large scale
commercial enterprises, medium scale farmers and smallholders/self-employed) better
utilize/benefit from growing livestock markets? How can they be made efficient/competitive?
What Technologies/ incentives can encourage farmers to invest in livestock?
In conclusion, policies and instititional reforms are key to ensure that markets are utilized to
promote an efficient and equitable growth of livestock
Plenary Discussions
It’s crucial to create and foster partnerships and linkages among and for smallholder farmers and
traders to enhance the livestock sector. For the livestock sector in Africa to grow the
competitiveness of small holder farmers has to be improved. A major obstacle to the growth of the
African livestock trade is the increase in low quality products from Europe. Institutional and
capacity needs at different levels (country and regional) to meet the challenges for making the
livestock sector competitive should be identified as well as mechanisms for resolving them.
Another challenge is lack of information and how to access it: the farmers do not know what the
customers (market) wants or needs e.g. how frequent the customers need products and in what
form. Information should be real-time. Information is critical in improving the bargaining power of
small holder farmers. Information needs for the livestock sector should be addressed by both
public and private sector. Initial public support is necessary to boost initiatives by private sector on
information generation and dissemination opportunities.
The collection of data and statistics for the African continent should be improved as the current
data is misleading and decisions made on their basis will also be misinformed. While FAO and EU
official statistics are not reliable, they are the only ones available.
It has been indicated that most of the livestock products is from small scale livestock keepers.
With our present land policies do these small scale farmers have an opportunity to expand in
order to capture the future markets for livestock products? The key issues being addressed are
secure access to land through land policy issues which is found in a comprehensive framework
policy on GMO being developed through a consultative process started in the year 2012

26
How can gaps that exist with respect to information flow be addressed? And the farmer does
not know what the market wants and the form that the product should take; There is need to
improve bargaining power of small holder farmers through a comprehensive communication
policy and the farmers should try to understand the market to know what the consumers prefer.
Could some of the challenges faced by farmers be addressed through GMOs/Are GMOs a
potential mechanism of meeting the challenges faced by farmers? Issues of GMOs will be
addressed exhaustively in the comprehensive African GMO policy which is underway. The policy
will form guiding principles for genetic engineering. Despite genetic engineering having huge
potential for improving the livestock sector, the issue of acceptability by global markets is a key
determinant on its utilization.
The Maasai community is a vulnerable group of neglected farmers and the East African
governments are turning their ancestral land to tourism and wildlife protection. Will not the
current trend for converting land to conservation initiatives affect livestock production?
Marginalization of pastoral communities is addressed in the Policy Framework for Pastoralism in
Africa as well as in the land policy.
Intra Africa regional trade vs international trade - should East Africa concentrate on intra
Africa trade and reduce efforts for penetrating the stringent EU markets? Yes, there is need
to review the strategies for targeting the global market, but this also varies with each market,
product and country. The approach should be to balance, as East Africa caters for international
markets, it should also supply and enhance local markets.
The livestock market in east Africa is dominated by small holders, are the policies favorable
for them to access the markets? How can we create an enabling policy environment for
livestock farmers? Small-scale livestock producers need to be better organized and networked to
pursue their policy agenda.
The role of camel in the livestock sector was not discussed and is there any stakeholder
engaging in camel? Kenya has two institutions in charge of promoting the camel and camel issues
are well addressed.
SESSION THREE: LIVESTOCK FARMING FOR GLOBAL MARKET
A new approach to livestock service delivery
By Dr. Christie Peacock - Founder and Chairman, Sidai Africa Ltd

27
The 21st
century livestock keepers in Africa require a broad range of services, including financial,
marketing, information and environmental services. However, access to quality and affordable
livestock services (quality inputs, effective advice and reliable markets) is constrained by many
factors including limited service providers, physical distance, price, information and socio-cultural
barriers. For example, in dairy and poultry, the private sector is unregulated and anything goes
while in the arid and semi arid areas, short-term donor- funded subsidies distort local market. A
large proportion of drugs are manufactured below standard e.g. 100% of the Trypanocidal drugs
manufactured in Cameroon are manufactured below standard. This leads to a toxic cycle of drug
misuse and farmers’ money being wasted as presented in the diagram below.
Drug resistance is on the rise e.g. in Kenya and Somalia. For instance, T. vivax is resistant to all
drugs except Diminazene aceturate while in Zambia, T. congolense - Diminazene resistance
increased from 13% in 1996 to 63% in 2003. Unregulated and unfair competition forces private
veterinarians to become input shop keepers competing on price alone.
Sidai Africa Ltd provides the following social business solutions: quality veterinary and livestock
services through a network of branded franchises owned by qualified personnel. Sidai focuses
on preventing disease and improving financial viability and turning the input shop keepers into
professional solution providers.
Toxic cycle of drug misuse &
farmers wasted money
Good quality
manufacturing
Good quality
manufacturing
Incorrect
product

28
Through franchising, Sidai offers quality assured products and services providing a choice for the
farmers and driving out malpractices. Franchising is scalable and durable with ease of entry and
greater chances of business success. Franchising enables economies of scale through the increased
buying power of the network and opens opportunities for marketing and processing.
Sidai is now a trusted brand; it has transformed retail input shops into learning environments which
are open and farmer friendly, information rich, farmers meet qualified people and prices are well
displayed.
Sidai is working towards improving the current agro-vet practice from treating symptoms to
preventing disease through good feeding, management and routine vaccination; poor quality
products to good quality products; remote diagnosis to accurate diagnosis using mini labs, PAD
tests etc; no farmer training to regular farmer training and support to co-ops, groups etc; selling
on price to adding value to product through training and advice and shift from transactional
relationship with farmer to establishing lifetime relationship with farmer.
Challenges of building a fair and sustainable input supply chain and distribution network include:
Short-termism – input suppliers and donors as well as the need for sustainable pricing along the
supply chain.
The future of livestock service delivery depends on public-private partnerships. Private goods
include improved nutrition, breeding, reproduction, housing etc; routine vaccination and
Franchise
Franchise Franchise
OPEN NEW VALUE
CHAINS
•Livestock traders
•Food processors
•Supermarkets
OPEN NEW VALUE
CHAINS
•Livestock traders
•Food processors
•Supermarkets
FRANCHISEE VALUE PROPOSITION
•Source and purchase products
•Branding & marketing
•Business training & IT
•Technical training, diagnostics
• Access to competitive finance
•New business opportunities
FARMERS FARMERSPASTORALISTS

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preventative and clinical health care; market information; research and development of new
products and conservation of indigenous breed traits. Public goods on the other hand include:
national disease surveillance and eradication of trans-boundary diseases; regulation of feed, drug,
semen, input markets and service providers; food hygiene and public health; infrastructure such as
roads, crushes etc and research on issues not researched by private sector.
Drawing from the indigenous African livestock genomes - a dart aimed at sustainability
By Dr. Mary Ndila Mbole-Kariuki
Dr. Ndila gave a background of Small-holder farmers: there are over 500 million small-holder
farmers, approximately 2 billion depend livestock for livelihoods and they produce 80% of the
food consumed in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Main challenges small holder livestock farmers
face in Africa include: “Negative selection” where farmers sell off the best breeds leaving only
weak ones in their flock; prevalence of disease and disease vectors; continual ineffective
traditional animal husbandry practices; knowledge gap; poor extension services and eminent
climate change. The adverse effects on the genetic resources are loss of genetic diversity, loss of
adaptive traits and endangered breeds.
Concerned that sustainability continues to be evasive in Africa, for example the diminishing
numbers of the indigenous East African Shorthorn Zebu (EASZ) an admixed population – indicine
and taurine, that is well adapted to aridity and heat and is resistant/tolerant to infectious diseases
(ECF) and vectors (Ticks), Dr.Ndila embarked on a study in Western Kenya.
The genotypic data revealed that 40% are from European breeds, while the genetic structure is
mainly from Africa. There was also evidence of European taurine introgression in several
generations. This results from cattle markets and
sources of animals. Farmers love cross breeds as
opposed to the indigenous breeds. This shift of focus is
to a perceived economically beneficial animal as
opposed to an ecologically fit one e.g. drought
survival. In spite of this, there is need to strike a
balance between ecologically important traits, the
environment and economically important traits. There is a big dip in genetic diversity and to stop
the genetic diversity decline calls for conservation and genetic utilization.

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Dr.Ndila concluded by noting that sustainability of the livestock sector in Africa is hampered by a
knowledge deficiency. Farmers should uphold Darwinian adaptations in indigenous breeds to
maintain sustainable populations; Scientists must promote sustainable use of Africa’s genetic
resources (landscape genomics, genomic selection); breed improvement programs need to match
projects to environments that support sustainable productivity. Governments/policy makers (AU-
IBAR) should develop policies for driving sustainability (KAGRC should stock indigenous breeds
genetic material, share genetic material across borders).
Towards a competitive and sustainable African world class livestock:
How to Feed Africa in 2050?
By Guy Delhomme - IMV Technologies
The African continent will face the challenge of feeding a growing population: 1.8 billion
inhabitants in 2050 vs 0.850 billion today. Life expectancy in 1950
was 48 years while in 2010 it was at 69 years. Rising of middle
class will boost consumption of animal protein and increase in
urban population will drive demand for animal protein. Africa has
the highest percentage increase in milk production from 2005 to
2010: +22%, it represents over 15% of world’s population but
produces 5% of milk and the average milk production per capita in
Africa is 50% less than in Asia. The African dairy cow situation
today: Africa has the second largest dairy cattle population in the
world and four countries are in the top 10 in number of Dairy
cows i.e. Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia. Livestock artificial insemination statistics:
worldwide there are 270 Million cattle inseminations, 500 Million doses produced and 70% of the
dairy cows are inseminated in Developed Countries.
Livestock artificial insemination statistics in Africa - 240 Million Heads which is 16 % of
worldwide; 62 Million dairy cows which translates to almost 25 % of worldwide; 3 Million AI in
2012 equals to 1.1% AI worldwide and 6 million doses produced i.e. 1.2% produced worldwide.
The African continent will have to strengthen its livestock sector with innovative technologies to
fulfill the meat and dairy production demand and many opportunities abound ; Genetic potential
combining production efficiency and heat and tropical diseases deficiency to come up with new

31
hybrids adapted for local conditions and capable of producing high milk yields. Reproductive and
DNA technologies have the potential to combine the adapted traits of African local breeds with
Elite breeds to raise milk and meat production.
Three successful world examples of livestock genetic and efficiency Improvement: genetic
selection since 1960 in France resulting in 100 % increase in Holstein breed in the last 20 years.
The white revolution/National Dairy Plan of India in 1970 which led to a 5% annual increase of
dairy production since 1974, 20 Million AI in 1999 and 41 Million AI in 2010 and India turning to
be the biggest dairy producer in the world in 2010. Brazil's genetic improvement with
biotechnologies resulted in a crossbreed with combined characteristics - the Girolando breed
produces 80 % of the total milk in Brazil and AI is correlated to the development of the dairy
Breed Girolando.
Today, advanced DNA technologies combined with reproductive technologies such as artificial
insemination, in vitro fertilization, hormonal synchronization and semen sexing has the potential to
develop a competitive and sustainable livestock sector.
Synchronization by hormones: hormones cycling of cattle optimize the timing and cost of AI for
the vet, reduces the period between two calvings, plan unseasonal lactation for getting a higher
price on milk and avoids transfer of sexual pathogens. Sexing technologies allow for Artificial
inseminations with 90% gender accuracy and farmer has the option to choose preferred sex
percentage on their herd.
Artificial insemination facilitates selection on the semen (bull with high potential), possibility of
storage of semen, better profitability of the semen (1 bull ejaculate equals to more than 1000
doses) and there is no distance limit between the male and female. Genetic engineering and
biotechnologies (genomic selections) offer a combination of the most efficient DNA sequences
referring to the typical situation.

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These technologies can leverage the bovine biodiversity of the African continent while injecting
the protein production genes of bovine breeds from other parts of the world. Hybrids combining
milk production and resistance to heat stress and parasitism can be produced rapidly and fulfill the
growing need and constraints of protein production in Africa.
Plenary Discussions
Africa needs to do the right things to solve the food insecurity problem, doing wrong things, with
good intention leads to poor/bad results. Policies that will facilitate effective breeding programmes
and enable farmers shift towards competitiveness should be put in place.
It's critical to stop the genetic diversity melt-down and seek out the adaptive traits before they are
entirely lost and make them work to the farmers’ advantage. There are many success stories as
well; Carora-Holstein crosses - Carora (composite venezuelan breed) - slick hair gene and exotic
Holstein; Girlando – Gir (zebu breed in Brazil) and exotic Holstein; Kurolier chicken (indigenous
and exotic crosses) and lastly in Kenya Dual purpose goat – crosses of indigenous East African
and Galla with exotic Toggenburg and Anglo-Nubian.
On the other hand there is huge potential in Africa to use advanced DNA and reproductive
technologies as they will open the door for efficient breeding and with a willing strategy and
commitment to enhance the African livestock potential, Africa can become self-sufficient in the
next 30 years.

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Farmers know the different traits of indigenous animals and the benefits of different animal breeds,
the problem they do not really understand the science behind the different genetic traits (exotic
breeds, indigenous breeds and mixed breeds) nor do they know the market requirements and
demands e.g. demand for heavy animals. There is need to create demand for the different
local/indigenous breeds. Breed improvement programmes should be regulated and they need to be
well advised.
Efforts to document and characterize local/indigenous breeds with new technology and share the
data and information (through a catalogue of genetic diversity in each country) with appropriate
institutions e.g. government and researchers across the countries should be worked out.
What kind of model will make Public-Private Partnership successful e.g. complimentarily
among researchers and governments? Sidai is trying to create a professional framework for
everyone to operate in and is in the process of finding qualified vets and looking for different
revenue streams by engaging with NGO’s. Sidai is in the process of involving community health
workers in their programmes and are currently in talks with local universities for further Diploma
or Certificate training.
Is the Sidai business model bankable and does it condemn and replace the current/local
models of the input supply chain? What are the inbuilt safeguard mechanisms for Sidai
franchises? Sidai looks at economies of scale, works with qualified people and is involved in
community programmes for upgrading and improving service delivery. Sidai encourages farmers
to look for a holistic package of preventive services rather than single incidence problem solving.
Sidai undertakes capacity building and facilitates the improvement of input supply chain aimed at
creating a sustainable supply chain. Sidai partners with the Kenya veterinary board in many
operations for instance in certification of the professionals.
Does the Sidai model imply that private sector enterprises cannot be harnesses for the good
of the nation? Sidai is not replacing the private sector but offering farmers with a reliable more
service based alternative which includes training and Herd Health Packages (AI, Vaccination, and
Diagnostics). The competition brought about by entry of Sidai will stimulate quality and price
stabilization.

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Do the farmers understand the genetic diversity?
That is putting farmers in a tight spot to balance the two; there is still not a well defined breeding
strategy.
How can we balance ecological and economic traits for continuity and reinforcement of
breeds? Promote breed enhancement with traits that work for African farmers e.g. heat stress
tolerance by first conducting a needs assessment. The survey by Dr. Ndila showed that farmers are
not fully aware of the genetic traits, there is a general knowledge deficiency across the board
(farmers/breed improvers) and effort should be put towards knowledge creation and dissemination.
Since we don’t know our indigenous animal genetic resources, are there continental efforts to
characterize our indigenous animals’ genetic resources and disseminate this information to
scientists, farmers, policy workers e.t.c? Farmers know their breeds and therefore the focus
should actually be on preserving the genetic trait.
Are there efforts to document and characterize local breeds and share with appropriate institutions
e.g. government and researchers across the countries? What policies do we have to support the
implementation of such technologies? We need to do genetics with new technology. The challenge
is with the policy makers if they can agree to share the genetic make-ups regionally.
How do you link your research agenda to the economic realities of farmers. Do those who
carryout research prioritizes African farmers’ research needs?
The financiers of genetic research have the farmers interest at heart, the only gap that needs to be
bridged is between the farmers, the breeders and the government.
It was listed that conservation of breed traits as a private good, given that some of the breed
traits are not economically important does it make sense for the private sector to undertake
such ventures? The most important thing is breed enhancement, there is knowledge deficiency
among farmers and scientists should focus more on what traits works for us.
Has awareness creation been conducted among the farmers to enhance indigenous
knowledge? How far is research undertaken, does it recommend appropriate business
models and technologies and is the research information relevant for the business

35
environment or suitable only for academic work? Why does research not impact the public?
Who finances research and what are their interests? Partners who finance research and projects
generally have good intentions for farmers. Nevertheless there is need to bridge the gap between
farmers, scientists, breed improvement programmes and financiers. Researchers should go a notch
higher so that the findings not only end up in papers, but dissemination of the research outputs
should be scaled further to the users/farmers.
Is Sidai bankable? How long does it take to break even?
Sidai hopes to break even in 3-4 years and hopes to be sustainable by then. It takes time for the
business to be viable as well as find structures to support this kind of projects.
AU is implementing a programme on veterinary governance and will launch a genetic animal
resource programme to expedite conservation of animal genetic resources.
SESSION FOUR: A LOOK AT DAIRY, BEEF, POULTRY AND PIGS VALUE CHAINS
Unleashing the potential of admix crossbred dairy cattle populations:
The opportunities and frameworks for increased milk production in low input production
systems: New approach to livestock service delivery
By Okeyo, A.M - ILRI
Smallholder dairying/mixed intensive systems in the developing world are key but under
significant pressure. The current population of approximately 2.5 billion people is projected to rise
to 3.4 by 2030. Smallholders manage approximately 500 million farms and provide 80% of food
consumed in large parts of developing countries with 150 million cattle increasing to almost 200
million by 2030. Crop yields are stagnating e.g. wheat, rice thus increasing food insecurity all in
the same or increasingly less land compared to 15-20 yrs ago! Severe water constraints are already
being experienced in some places and predicted in many regions. Climate change means tropical
regions will not produce as much grains and pasture in future therefore need for resilient and
productive breed type. In E. Africa 70 % of milk is produced by smallholders, but productivity
remains low hence need for increased efficiency.

36
Production gap and opportunities include maximum (dark coloured) and minimum (light coloured)
levels of milk production for different genotypes of cattle in Sub-Saharan Africa and diverse
genetics and systems. Unfortunately some are inappropriate - high calf mortality rates, long
calving intervals (>>15 months), low milk production and mainly forage based diets which are
inadequate.
Smarter strategies are needed in light of the large populations of crossbreds of variable genetic
merits which already exist. In Eastern Africa alone, there are more than 26 million milking cows,
55% of which are crosses; assuming 70% are females, 60% of which are reproductively active,
with only 50% AI usage and each cow needing 1.3 inseminations per conception (4 million doses),
each charged at rate of US$15 each, then we have an industry worth US$59million annually.
Africa is lagging behind in production and there is therefore a need to change both the
management and genotype. It has been observed that the crossbreeds have not been given their
full potential. The proposal therefore in regard to improved production and management is to have
an internet cloud. This shown below.
Crossbreeding is important because different environments require different genetics! Most
smallholders are not breeders, but are milk producers so they should use genetics that give them
higher profits. Crossbreeding to improve productivity and broaden the smallholders’ income base
require:
• Increased calf and cow survival rates
• Increased conception rates and shorter Calving Intervals (CI)
• Increased cow longevity (reduced replacement costs)

37
• Lower somatic cell counts (lower veterinary cost)
• Better feed utilization
• Heavier cull cows and faster growing bull calves
A platform to support genetic improvement of livestock is critical because of the small herds,
hence pooling is the logical option. National programs are currently too small with inadequate
infrastructure and capacity to allow effective population of purebreds with local and international
genetic links to enable genetic evaluation. A large pool of admix already exist from which
selective breeding would be feasible. Technologies (IT & genomic) exist to enable data collection,
timely synthesis and feedback across borders. We need to create incentives for investments in local
dairy genetics business and encourage more prudent use of existing international and regional
resources and institutional frameworks as shown in the figure below.
AI-Services Records Health reports Conformation
-Milk Adaptability
-Body Weights
-Fertility
Information From Countries
Pedigree information Genetic evaluation information
Breeding plans
Basis for management decisions: Dairy, Sales, Feeds,
Health, etc.
Feedback to Farms
Centralized
Recording
Breeding
Services
Extension
Genetic
Evaluation
Research
Productivity of smallholder dairy herds currently is too low, but has huge potential for
improvement. Population of crossbred cattle is high but there is no supportive breed improvement
service in place, yet it makes business sense. Synthetic multipurpose cattle breed development is
technically feasible and economically viable (there is market for it, let us grab the opportunity
now)! Globally, crossbreeding of dairy breeds is taking place for good reasons, but no local
supportive policies and systems exist in Sub-Saharan Africa. A regional genetic improvement

38
platform to sustainably support implementation of livestock genetic improvement programs is
proposed. Strengthening of the local capacity to sustainably manage the process is required to
deliver/share improved cattle genetics.
In conclusion, it is pointed out that;
• Productivity of smallholder dairy herds currently too low, but have huge potential for
improvement
• Population of crossbred cattle high, but no supportive breed improvement services in place,
yet it makes business sense
• Synthetic multipurpose cattle breed development is technically feasible and economically
viable (there is market for it, lets us grab the opportunity now)
• Globally crossbreeding of dairy breeds is taking place for good reasons, but no local
supportive policies and systems exist in SS Africa
• A regional genetic improvement platform to sustainably support implementation of
livestock genetic improvement programs is proposed
• Strengthening of the local capacity to sustainably manage the process is required to
deliver/share improved cattle genetics needed
The untapped potential: the Pig sector in Kenya
By Dr. Christine Mosoti
Pig farming has a range of benefits including:
 Pork is high value animal protein and the most consumed meat in the world
 Contribute to food security: pig fat is a highly valued source of energy in times of unstable
food supply
 Quick return on investment: pigs are fast maturing, give birth to many (on average 12-16)
and reproduce on average 2.2 times per year.
The key message is here is the need to strongly advocate for cross breeding to increase productivity of
the livestock sector. Additionally, for effective policy decisions, all the custodians of data/databases
for the livestock sector should communicate with one another. Another key recommendation is to
have all data in a central place and this calls for goodwill and resources from the different
stakeholders and sub-sectors. Infrastructure is very important for the success of the livestock sector.

39
Pig business is big business, the world imports in 2011 was worth
US$20.5b and Africa's share was only US$15m. Pig is dominant in central
Kenya and Nairobi because of access to abattoirs and markets, but scarce
in coast and north eastern provinces of Kenya due to cultural issues. The
pig value chain in Kenya comprises: pig breeds, pig feeds, AI, equipment
and technology, value addition. There is lack of standardised systems for
feed production, and for AI services there is only one company i.e. farmers choice. There is low
use of equipment and basic technology in the pig sector is lacking. Value addition is limited with
only few companies undertaking value addition.
Main challenges for the pig sector are market access and limited good abattoirs, low technical
support with very few experts, high cost of feeds and high variation and limited value addition.
Opportunities for the pig sector: diversification and specialisation e.g. in AI services; value
addition and processing e.g. bacon, sausages. Value addition increases the shelf life thereby
reducing the problem of glut. Enterprise integration - pig and fish farming where pig manure
fertilises the fish ponds. There is potential for Peri urban production as pig farming does not
require expansive land. Key benefit for peri urban farming is the ready market in urban centres and
availability of hotel wastes. Easy entry into pig business and fast returns are considered as
incentives.
The pig industry can be improved by establishing pig farmer cooperatives which will boost value
addition, capacity building and support services.
Comments on the pig sector
It is critical to encourage governments in the region to urgently look at the pig sector because there
is a positive trend in consumption of pig meat and the world demand is also very high. The quality
and cost of feeds need to be streamlined to ensure growth of pigs.
Current AI practices which use fresh semen need to be revolutionalised as fresh semen only
survives for a maximum of three days after which it loses its potency. The main problem on AI
uptake is inadequate knowledge, and this calls for awareness creation amongst farmers and
extension service providers.

40
ruminosis - presence of
undigested food substance
Questions, Answers and comments
How do you fight African swine fever in DRC and in Kenya? Zoonosis currently an area of
focus in one-health concept and pigs has been cited as one of the livestock species blamed for
this.
Zoonosis and the African swine flu greatly affect the pig industry. This can be contained by
keeping breeds that are adapted to the diseases, undertaking right pig management practices
(cleanliness), use of vaccine and capacity building for the farmers. In Malawi, there is an act of
parliament stipulating that all pigs must be raised in enclosures. High penalties are given for
owners found rearing pigs on free range and thus free movement of pigs is controlled.
What is the policy on semen production for pigs in Kenya? Currently semen is not
stored/frozen like in the case for bulls, they are imported from Denmark. It’s only Uganda that has
started AI systems for pigs.
Pigs compete with household for same food/feeds. This poses a serious challenge for poor
households struggling to feed its household members. Farmers are encouraged to have
enterprise integration e.g. in south Asia there is a symbiotic relationship between pigs and fish
farming.
Formation of cooperatives that will invest in feed mills to produce good quality feeds will also
enhance pig productivity.
Metabolic Disorders in Dairy Cows: Nutritional Manipulations
By Dr. Chandrakant N. Patil, Consulting Animal Nutritionist
There are dramatic changes in the dairy industry with large herds and high producing cows.
However metabolic disorders decrease fertility by affecting conception rate and cycling interval.
The basic concept of metabolic disorders: increase in milk yield is more a
manifestation of metabolic processes. Pathological phenomena affects key
organs i.e. uterus, ova and udder. A ‘symptom’ which is not a genuine
disease can be effectively controlled by improved methods of feeding and

41
husbandry. Metabolic disorders are in three forms: energy related (milk fat depression, laminitis,
ruminal acidosis, ketosis and fatty liver): fiber related (acidosis and milk fat depression) and
mineral related (hypocalcaemia, hypomagnaesemia, udder oedema, retained placenta and
metritis). Metabolic disorders lead to reduced production, impaired reproductive performance and
risk to develop other disease by the animals.
Specifics for prevention of metabolic disorders include: yeast culture (Saccharomyces cerevisiae),
malate supplementation and Ionophore supplementation. Increased dry matter intake stimulates
forage digesting bacteria which stabilises PH and increases microbial protein supply leading to
increased nutrient supply to the animal.
Economically, milk fever for example, leads to less milk in subsequent lactation, impaired
reproductive performance (2.4 times risk for ketosis, 2.3 times risk for displaced abomasum, 2.2
times risk for retained placenta and 2.1 times risk for Metritis) and increases incidences of cystic
ovarian diseases. Laminitis which is associated specifically with RUMINAL ACIDOSIS reduces
profitability of herd, production and reproduction performance.
To prevent milk fever, a farmer should undertake dietary restriction of Ca in dry period, dietary
acidification prior to calving and feeding anionic salts. A farmer should try to fulfill the DMI
(daily mass index) through feeding maximum of 2.25kg of concentrate at one point, live yeast: 60
days pre-partum and 90 days post-partum, bypass fat (CaSFA): 60 days- 14 days pre- partum, 14
days- 90 days post- partum, mineral premix: 365 days a year (min. 135g per day), MHA Chelated
premix: 14g/ animal/ day in transition phase and Yeast metabolites: 50g/ animal/ day.
For concentrate feed farmers should ensure the following crude protein level:
• Max. 19% during 90 days post- partum
• Max.18% during mid- lactation
• Max. 16% during late lactation
• Max. 12% during dry period and transition period

42
The output will be efficient digestion, milk yield, efficient reproduction and efficient economic
returns as a result of lower incidences of lactic acidosis, mastitis and metritis and locomotive
disorders.
In conclusion, to have more milk, there is need to feed two systems to improve animal nutrition i.e.
plant system and mammalian system/animal system.
The Kuroiler chicken as a means of reducing poverty and providing nutritional security in
Uganda
By Dr. Daniel K. N. Semambo
In Uganda, poultry is an integral part of rural households providing food, income and social roles.
Uganda has a poultry population of 42m (88% indigenous and 12% exotic). The Kuroiler project
was initiated in Uganda in 2009 because village production was inadequate to meet nutritional and
economic needs of an average family and production remains poor despite efforts to increase
production. The projects vision is to reduce poverty and to improve the quality of life for
impoverished rural households in Uganda.
Kuroiler is a hybrid chicken suitable for
village environment, dual purpose,
phenotypically similar to local indigenous
chickens, the Hen lays 200 (vs 40) eggs and
males weigh 3+ kg (vs 1.5 -2.0 kg). Kuroiler is
suitable for rural Africa because of high
hatching results, high growth rates and egg
production compared with ugandan Indigenous poultry.
Farmers perception and experience claim that Kuroiler meat tastes better, texture of meat is soft,
meat/bone ratio is better and the sizes of Kuroiler eggs are larger. Conclusions from the trials
indicate that Kuroiler can survive and produce under Ugandan conditions, outperformed local
chickens: meat and eggs, co-existed peacefully with local chickens, did not introduce new exotic
diseases, not more vulnerable than local to predator and majority of farmers preferred Kuroiler
meat to indigenous chicken.

43
The project has been able to import 85,000 day old chicks, 6000 parents stock and 15,000 hatching
eggs fortnightly. Its expecting to produce 2.7million day old chicks starting from November 2013
and to acquire grandparent stock to be located in an identified centre.
Questions, answers and General comments
The key message is there is need to strongly advocate for cross breeding to increase productivity of
the livestock sector. Additionally, for effective policy decisions all the data/databases for the
livestock sector should communicate with one another. Another key recommendation is to having
all data in a central place and this calls for goodwill and resources from the different stakeholders
and sub-sectors. Infrastructure is very important for the success of the livestock sector.
There should be concerted efforts to build agriculture as a key component of the education
curriculum at primary, secondary and even at tertiary levels. Continuous capacity building of
farmers should be sustained. Smallholder farmers may not be very skilled in the area of cross
breeding and genetics and therefore require guidance.
Cooperation among farmers, private sector, universities and researchers should be initiated and
they should work together in improving existing admix by fully utilising the available tools.
Greater collaboration between university and private sector has benefits; as an example,
Stellenbosch University secured funding from Standard Bank for Centre for business. Both benefit
from the centre. University of KwaZulu Natal (south Africa) provides support directly to farmers
which in turn yields closer collaboration in funding. University of Cape Town has a Unilever
Centre which provides routine and concise strategic information for business.
How can the different stakeholders at the different levels be capacitated and incentivised?
This can be achieved by investing in technologies for making the livestock sector less laborious
especially for the dairy sector. Public private partnerships to make livestock farming profitable and
the enhanced use of Information technology e.g. move from traditional methods of tracking
genetics and use mobile phones to query on real-time who has the best stock and verification of
genetic characteristics.

44
Strategies for unlocking genes will have to vary between the pastoralists communities and zero
grazing farmers. While matching genetics and crossbreeds is important, good animal management
practices are important in improving productivity.
Regrettably there is territorial hoarding of information and mechanisms to break the
boarders/boundaries are required as this will provide opportunities for genes to be unlocked. Use
of internet for sharing admix should be commenced and as well as investing together as Africa.
HOW CAN A REGIONAL GENETIC PLATFORM BE ESTABLISHED FOR AFRICA? It
should not take away from the national systems but permit benefits from a collective and wider
system. The reproductive systems are already characterized but they need to be reviewed and
updated. The current and future systems need to be understood in view of changing environments
e.g. climate change, population increase, technology dynamics and many others. This calls for
SMART strategies which should be holistic, incorporating and addressing productivity, marketing
and financing.
Is there a simple test for identifying animals with ketosis that can be applied at farm level. A
simple test is the smell of urine or checking the breadth of the animal if its sugary or has molasses-
like smell and the presence of gas bubbles in dung.
At what stage should we introduce curriculum in agriculture, should it be optional in high
school, in elementary school etc? Yes we need to introduce agriculture at all levels of our high
school and college curriculum but in variable doses and in an integrated way, use production to
compile data for use in mathematics and statistics classes to make learning more interactive and
interesting to pupils and farmers.
SESSION FIVE: LIVESTOCK SECTOR: FEEDING AFRICA
Kenya Animal Genetics Resource Centre
By Dr. Wamukuru H.K, Chief Executive Officer
The livestock sector significantly contributes to the Kenyan economy (entire national GDP (10%))
and overall socio-economic development in the Country. In agriculture, the livestock sub-sector

45
contributes to just below 50% of the total agricultural GDP and about 30% of the marketed
agricultural products. The potential therefore is great and the country needs to unlock the latent
potential existing in the Arid and Semi Arid (ASAL) lands of Kenya which account for about 80%
of the current contribution of the livestock sector.
The new constitution of Kenya clearly recognizes veterinary services as vital to development of
both county and national governments and appropriate policies and legal framework to support
development and coordination of animal breeding programmes are being put in place. This will
strengthen the role of breed societies, farmers and other stakeholders in animal improvement
activities and will also apply equitably to all animal species.
The Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre (KAGRC) formally, Central Artificial Insemination
Station (CAIS), was established in 1946 through Gazette Notice No. 557 as a semen production
and distribution Centre. It’s visions is to be the leading producer of the best Animal Genetic
Resources (AnGR) in the World. Its functions include: establishment of a national livestock
resources genebank, custodian of livestock tissues, DNA, semen and embryos of all important
livestock and emerging livestock, strategic semen production and serves as reference laboratory for
certification, testing of semen, embryos, and related livestock reproductive materials for purposes
of exportation and importation; develop and produce chemicals, media and laboratory products for
use in the production of animal GermPlasm; provide information to livestock farmers on the
suitability and effectiveness of animal breeding products; provide training and consultancy
services on animal resource conservation procedures, semen, in-vitro embryo production and
transfer, and related technology transfer.
KAGRC works in close collaboration with other breeding organizations such as Kenya Stud Book,
Dairy Recording Services of Kenya and Livestock Recording Centre, research organizations,
universities, international entities, and community based organizations and individual farmers.
GENOMIC selection of bull dams, bulls and their heifers, and contract mating programs for
efficient performance of the centre are routine continuous processes. The centre participates in
Public Private Partnership and hence national planning always ensures the long term supply of
public good and its sustainability. KAGRC is in the process of undertaking animal recording and
genetic evaluation and wide stakeholder’s scope (breeders and livestock keepers). KAGRC intends

46
to be a reference laboratory for certification and is thus embarking on testing of semen embryos,
and related livestock reproduction.
KAGRC has 124 bull studs (54 Friesians, 52 Ayrshires, 8 Jerseys, 4 guernseys, 4 Sahiwals and 2
borans. It has 48 semen distribution outlets and the current national bull semen demand is
estimated to be at 1.2 million straws. KAGRC produces 50 litres
of liquid nitrogen per hour with a monthly production of about
16,000 litres, monthly demand of 40,000 litres and the deficit is
sourced from private factories.
There have been challenges in the conservation, management and
utilization of the AnGR emanating from low human,
infrastructural and professional capacities. The centre is yet to attain all the requisite ISO
standards, especially Laboratory Best practices, ISO 17025; however the centre has put in place a
quality management system to improve its performance and be in line with the best and modern
practices and has been issued with the ISO 9001:2008 certificate.
The government and bilateral partners are committed to promote germplasm preservation and
conservation of animal genetic materials. KAGRC is duty bound to generate knowledge about
good practices and lessons learned.
Aflatoxins: Impact on Livestock and Livestock Trade
By Dr. Amare Ayalew, Plant Pathologist/Mycotoxicologist, PACA
Aflatoxins are fungal metabolites (naturally occurring) produced by strains of Aspergillus flavus
and A. parasiticus that are toxic to humans and animals. They are highly stable compounds, that
withstand normal food/feed processing procedures.
Aflatoxin contamination occurs at pre-harvest, harvest and storage. Maize, groundnut, cottonseed
and byproducts are highly susceptible but it occurs in wide ranging food and feed. Grass, silage
and hay do not contain appreciable levels.
Aflatoxin occurrence is influenced by drought stress and high temperature, insect damage, and
improper harvesting, drying and storage.
The Aflatoxin challenge in Africa leads to the following.

47
In Agriculture and food security: 25% of the world food supply is contaminated with aflatoxins
(FAO, 2000).
In health: aflatoxin is linked to cancer, immune-system suppression, growth retardation, liver
disease, and death in both humans and domestic animals,
In Trade: aflatoxin undermines efforts to streamline SPS issues continent-wide.
Factors contributing to the Aflatoxin challenge in Africa include: conducive climatic conditions,
traditional crop production practices, inadequate harvesting, drying and storage practices, policy
and institutional capacity and lack of awareness.
Aflatoxins have acute effects on animals including: mortality and morbidity (acute toxicity) where
the major organ affected is the liver, low dietary concentrations lead to (chronic effects) thus
decreased milk and egg production, poor weight gain, recurrent infection due to immunity
suppression and reduced fertility, abortion, and lowered birth weights.
Productivity of the livestock industry is seriously affected by aflatoxins e.g. production losses to
the U.S. poultry and swine industries exceed $100 million per year. Aflatoxin regulations restrict
flow of animal feed and export of dairy, meat and fish products is increasingly subject to aflatoxin
testing.
There are several Aflatoxin regulations impacting on trade including: codex standards are
advisory, national standards vary widely depending largely on the level of economic development
and the susceptibility of a nation’s crops to contamination (stringent based on the “precautionary”
principle). Regulations have significant economic consequences accruing form lost trade and
enforcement costs mainly to developing countries.
Aflatoxin contamination is a complex problem: its hard to solve by a single actor/discipline,
requires multi-stakeholder actions, focus on the cause rather than the symptoms and thus no single
answer but requires a bag of tricks). Integrated and coordinated
actions are needed.
In conclusion, Aflatoxin is unavoidable as a natural toxicant but options are available to manage it
successfully. Aflatoxin is a complex problem that can be addressed through integrated measures
and coordinated actions. The competitiveness of the African livestock industry is at stake unless
the aflatoxin problem is addressed proactively.

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