This archive report was first published on 14 August 2019.
Kenya's beef farming industry is a significant contributor to the country's economy, with an estimated 14 million beef cattle. Local and indigenous breeds make up the majority of this population, with three-quarters of them in the hands of pastoralists in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) areas.
With the country's love for 'nyama choma', every Kenyan consumes an average 15-16 kg of red meat annually. However, the current state of beef farming in Kenya is underutilized, with many pastoralists struggling to make a profit due to factors such as droughts and poor nutrition.
Feedlotting, a technical term for confining animals and feeding them on a high-carbohydrate diet to achieve maximum weight gain, is a game-changer in beef farming in Kenya. This method allows cattle to gain between 50-200 kg in just 60-120 days, with the potential to reach 600 kg or more.
One of the pioneers of feedlotting in Kenya is Dr. Gakuo, the managing partner of Pioneer Feedlot in Chaka, Nyeri County. With an investment of good infrastructure, disease control, and a feed mill, Dr. Gakuo has achieved remarkable success, selling cattle at between Sh60,000 and Sh90,000 after just three months of intensive feeding.
Despite the challenges of high capital outlay, sourcing of animals, diseases, and high feed costs, feedlotting has proven to be a profitable venture in beef farming in Kenya. In fact, pastoralist counties of Marsabit, Isiolo, and Laikipia have formed a consortium to venture into this enterprise.
