In The Spotlight
Kenya's State Department for Livestock Development has selected more than 80 women's groups in Homa Bay as beneficiaries of its livestock empowerment programme launched across all 47 counties
Smallholder farmers in Homa Bay received improved KENBRO chicks as First Lady Rachel Ruto presided over the distribution. According to principal livestock production officer, Fred Oruru, these chicks add to the hardiness of local breeds, making them exceptionally disease-resilient, with a laying capacity of 200 and 280 eggs a year. That is a marked improvement in egg production compared with about 45 eggs from indigenous birds. They can also attain a weight of 2 to 2.5 kilogrammes in 3.5 months, compared with 1 to 1.5 kilogrammes in eight months for local breeds.
The upgraded breed will support 3.6 million households, especially women and youth, said Oruru.
“With proper management, chicken farming can become one of the most profitable and sustainable ventures for smallholders in Homa Bay. The handover is not an end in itself but part of a continuous programme to transform the poultry industry nationally,” he said.
Ruto defined the initiative as transformational for the region's livestock sector as it will boost food security, nutrition and household incomes.
“The women have been equipped with skills to build viable and sustainable enterprises. The programme will economically empower them and improve their source of livelihoods,” she said.
According to Ruto, women must see agriculture more than just food source for their families and take it as a opportunity for wealth creation that can sustain generations.
Overall the programme will be benefitting 1,200 women groups by providing livelihood support through sustainable enterprises promotion for increased household incomes.
“A society where women are empowered progresses. We support the programme because it is a way of sustaining the livelihoods of people,” said Homa Bay's Governor, Gladys Wanga, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga while speaking of advancing financial inclusion and enterprise development through the initiative.
YTO’s agricultural equipment assembly plant in the Republic of the Congo has released the first batch of locally assembled YTO tractors, ready for delivery to local customers
President Denis Sassou Nguesso endorsed the tractors following machinery inspection and test driving. This political visibility gave YTO an edge over usual launches, boosting its singinficance in the local agricultural mechanisation market, which is heavily interlinked with national food production and rural development programmes.
The plant in Congo assembles models of 75 and 130 horsepower.
YTO has an already established presence in Ivory Coast since 1992. In a bold move to solidify hold over the broader African agricultural market, the Chinese company has for the first time locally assembled the models in its Congo plant.
Unlike conventionally finished machine exports, the strong foundation of local parts inventories improves after-sales services. It reduces transportation costs while hastening supply and logistics for the manufacturers, giving them fast access to government and agricultural projects.
This move addresses the need for easy access to parts availability and service response in the agricultural machinery sector, which often operates in isolation from established dealer networks. YTO capitalises this untapped space, offering critical support to long-term equipment utilisation.
It is also good exposure in technician training for the local workforce, which is part of YTO’s wider strategy of advancing localisation in overseas markets, diversifying shipment sources beyond China.
Prominent livestock platform, DLG Spotlights at EuroTier 2026 in Hanover, Germany, will shed light on innovations and future-focused developments across the livestock sector
From 10 to 13 November, visitors can check out the latest developments in robotics, emission reduction and forage production. Selected breeding animals will be exhibited live for the 'TopTierTreff' (Top Genetics). Such live demonstrations and curated special exhibitions will unlock futuristic ideas for innovative technologies, processes and concepts designed to make livestock farming more efficient, sustainable and animal-friendly.
A robust technical programme will include lectures, panel discussions and networking formats covering all key areas of livestock production and related energy sectors.
Manufacturers of advanced milking technology will showcase automation in modern dairy farming with the latest robotic solutions for automated milking systems or share visionary barn construction blueprints at the Barn Robot Event. Conventional milking parlors are gradually becoming a thing of the past replaced by conversion concepts based on robotic systems. Milking large dairy herds are no more a labour-intensive job with the support of advanced technologies. While future-oriented, these concepts will be grounded in their easy facilitation in real life situations.
For Emission Reduction, visitors can expect live demonstrations of seamless integration of livestock farming and climate protection. With expert stages for pigs and poultry lying adjacent to the emission reduction pavilion, visitors can expect insights on sustainable practices especially in these two areas.
The Top Genetics display will unite breeders from home and abroad, with breeding companies talking about strategies, fostering knowledge-sharing, particularly in dairy and beef cattle breeding. The event organisers have arranged for a large panoramic video screen this year so that the animals exhibited on stand reach far and wide.
Spotlight on 'Forage Production' will promote smart farming technologies that can revolutionise the quality of maize silage, grass silage and hay throughout the entire production chain, from harvesting to ensiling and storage. This offering will be complemented by the new “Forage Days”, taking place on 12 and 13 November. During these special theme days, the DLG Expert Stage Cattle, as part of the Forage Production Spotlight, will focus on the production of high-quality forage and its targeted use in ruminant nutrition.
The 'Innovation Boulevard' that will be a new addition this year, will feature products recognised with the Innovation Award, alongside other notable innovations in animal farming, feed, management and technology. Visitors will gain a concise overview of the latest developments and then have the opportunity to meet the product developers directly at their exhibition stands for more in-depth discussions.
Prominent livestock platform, DLG Spotlights at EuroTier 2026 in Hanover, Germany, will shed light on innovations and future-focused developments across the livestock sector
From 10 to 13 November, visitors can check out the latest developments in robotics, emission reduction and forage production. Selected breeding animals will be exhibited live for the 'TopTierTreff' (Top Genetics). Such live demonstrations and curated special exhibitions will unlock futuristic ideas for innovative technologies, processes and concepts designed to make livestock farming more efficient, sustainable and animal-friendly.
A robust technical programme will include lectures, panel discussions and networking formats covering all key areas of livestock production and related energy sectors.
Manufacturers of advanced milking technology will showcase automation in modern dairy farming with the latest robotic solutions for automated milking systems or share visionary barn construction blueprints at the Barn Robot Event. Conventional milking parlors are gradually becoming a thing of the past replaced by conversion concepts based on robotic systems. Milking large dairy herds are no more a labour-intensive job with the support of advanced technologies. While future-oriented, these concepts will be grounded in their easy facilitation in real life situations.
For Emission Reduction, visitors can expect live demonstrations of seamless integration of livestock farming and climate protection. With expert stages for pigs and poultry lying adjacent to the emission reduction pavilion, visitors can expect insights on sustainable practices especially in these two areas.
The Top Genetics display will unite breeders from home and abroad, with breeding companies talking about strategies, fostering knowledge-sharing, particularly in dairy and beef cattle breeding. The event organisers have arranged for a large panoramic video screen this year so that the animals exhibited on stand reach far and wide.
Spotlight on 'Forage Production' will promote smart farming technologies that can revolutionise the quality of maize silage, grass silage and hay throughout the entire production chain, from harvesting to ensiling and storage. This offering will be complemented by the new “Forage Days”, taking place on 12 and 13 November. During these special theme days, the DLG Expert Stage Cattle, as part of the Forage Production Spotlight, will focus on the production of high-quality forage and its targeted use in ruminant nutrition.
The 'Innovation Boulevard' that will be a new addition this year, will feature products recognised with the Innovation Award, alongside other notable innovations in animal farming, feed, management and technology. Visitors will gain a concise overview of the latest developments and then have the opportunity to meet the product developers directly at their exhibition stands for more in-depth discussions.
Cagemax from the Netherlands fulfills an important role as supplier of high-quality animal proteins and fats
In recent years, Cagemax hasn’t only grown its own worldwide business, but also its clients in the aquafeed, compound feed, fertilizers, bioenergy and pet food sectors. Growth is an important theme for Cagemax.
Contributing to the healthy development of many animals worldwide through an assortment of proteins and fats. The company is recognised as a flexible partner that easily adapts to both changing legislations and dynamic market demand. Because one thing never changes: the market calls for quality, competitive pricing and optimal delivery reliability.
Reliable
Where the needs remain the same, the dynamics are constantly moving. Cagemax is the stable factor in a market that’s always changing. Constantly deploying its expertise and extensive network to offer a good price and exceptional quality. Logistics have been mastered down to the last detail and proprietary storage and transshipment facilities are in place. Enabling the team to always meet the fluctuating market demand.
Cagemax stays in direct and continuous contact with many manufacturers so they can always offer customers the choice between different qualities and origins. Tailor-made. Not just in its product range, but also in advice.
The experts are always on top of industry trends and know their products like no other.
Dynamic
This knowledge and expertise were initially limited to ingredients for the pet food industry. Over the years, the business has also expanded its scope to the compound feed, aquafeed, fertiliser and bioenergy industries. On the supply side, Cagemax is able to purchase large volumes. On the demand side, customers can count on an attentive service and high-quality raw materials. The company can cope with the dynamics of the market and has thus managed to bind customers worldwide. Because of the understanding that if you want to be irreplaceable, you must continue to distinguish yourself.
Cagemax understands like no other that quality is the key to success and the continuity of the business. That’s why the company is GMP+ certified and operates in full compliance with the HACCP principles and practices.
Every market has its own quality requirements. For the supply of raw materials for the bioenergy industry, Cagemax has been certified to meet the strict ISCC-EU standards with a SKAL-certificate that guarantees that the delivered biological or bio-organic products are produced under the European and production directives.
We stand for constant product quality. That’s why every incoming load is carefully analysed in an accredited laboratory.
With an eye for quality, delivery, reliability, flexibility and the will to think along with relations, Cagemax has grown out to be the biggest supplier of high-quality animal proteins and fats in Europe.
Regenerative and climate-smart farming practices are empowering coffee and tea farmers in Kirinyaga and Embu counties to grow climate resilient with improved yields, giving way to livelihoods security
Part of the Mt Kenya Sustainable Landscape and Livelihoods (MSULi) programme for spreading awareness on sustainable production and creating employment opportunities, this six-year initiative is implemented by Rainforest Alliance with support from the IKEA Foundation. When initiated in 2020, the campaign included more than 55,000 farmers from the Mt Kenya area, who are now well versed in sustainable farming practices, landscape restoration and climate adaptivity.
"Farmers have reported that they have been able to replace their old varieties with improved tea clones and coffee seedlings, and are now witnessing increased yields and better quality produce," said Rainforest Alliance Country director, Marion Nyaga.
The Rainforest Alliance 2025 Annual Report and Impact Data in Kagio, Kirinyaga county, has drawn positive response from private sector partners who brought affordable financing to farmers and agribusinesses. Coffee and tea production besides, farmers also learnt about natural resources conservation and enterprises diversification by growing avocado and macadamia as well.
The campaign saw farmers using environmentally friendly methods to restore biodiversity and boost soil health. The result reflected in the buzz of the bees and the croaking of frogs and toads driving pollination across Mt Kenya, which had till now suffered years of degradation due to unsustainable farming practices. The farmers were trained in compost-making to replace chemical fertilisers and pesticides, resulting in restored soil fertility and much less production costs. With enhanced moisture retention capacity, the soils are now capable of supporting dry spells that may run longer than usual.
The MSULi programme has been designed to generate maximum value even when it is not operational. It has a fully registered Landscape Management Board, a multi-stakeholders platform, to coordinate conservation and sustainable agricultural activities beyond the project's lifespan. "Regenerative agriculture is what our grandfathers and grandmothers used to practice. They planted different crops together, used manure and maintained healthy soils. We are simply bringing back those practices using modern knowledge," said Landscape Management Board trustee, Karugu Macharia.
Around 220 hectares of degraded forest that has been restored and more than 500 hectares of degraded farmland that has been rehabilitated in Mt Kenya landscape as part of the project is going to serve generations to come.
"We have created green enterprises and worked with financial institutions so farmers can access affordable loans to invest in climate-smart agriculture," said manager, Dida Wario.
The Government of Kenya has partnered with the country's farmers to commission the Sh500-million Meru Maziwa Millers Feed Mill at Mitunguu in Imenti South Sub-County
While the Government contributed Sh200mn for the project, farmers raised the remaining Sh300mn.
According to Deputy President, Kithure Kindiki, farmers can look forward to increased profit margins once the new facility is operational, reducing the cost of dairy feed from the current average of Sh3,200 to about Sh2,800 per bag. With revised farm-gate rates of Sh52 per litre from Sh50 since this month, dairy farmers can expect boosted returns as well.
Further securing quality and productivity of dairy herds for farmers, the Government has also announced reduced cost of sexed semen from Sh7,000 to Sh1,400.
“As we celebrate the success of Meru Dairy, let us also remember what the government has done for you. We will continue increasing the supply of subsidised sexed semen across the country,” Kindiki said.
He highlighted that the Government is especially prioritising the dairy sector to boost food security and farmers' incomes. A Sh100mn budget plan is already in place for Phase Two of the mill, while another Sh100mn through the supplementary budget will facilitate Phase Three.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of the Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union, Kenneth Gitonga, the feed mill investments will be transformational for the 720,000 lpd-capacity cooperative, which is already seeing substantial progress.
Gitonga is anticipating expansion encouraged by the promising numbers reflecting the cooperative's steady growth. Over the last three years, farmers membership rose from 11,012 to 161,874. Daily milk intake has increased from 287,000 litres to 670,000 litres, and the number of affiliated cooperative societies has grown from 139 to 168.
The cooperative is aiming to make Sh25bn in annual sales next year, given its consistent returns from Sh9.3bn in 2023 to Sh20.1bn in 2025.
