Beef and Dairy Cattle Improvement Services: A Policy Perspective

Abstract

In the beef and dairy industry, one of the most cost effective and assured means of lowering production costs and improving competitiveness, is through the development of a vibrant and efficient livestock improvement service capable of providing and sustaining superior breeding stock. The importance of livestock improvement services finds expression in major government policy documents. The Strategy for Revitalizing Agriculture (SRA) considers livestock improvement services a key input in the growth of the agricultural sector. This study evaluates the state of beef and dairy livestock improvement from a policy perspective including breeding and genetics. It examines options for improved productivity, food security and competitiveness within a liberalized market economy. Data is obtained from a Tegemeo 2004 field survey that covered Rift valley, Eastern, Central, Western and Nyanza provinces. This is complemented by secondary data and interviews with livestock producers, traders, livestock improvement service providers, related institutions and key informants in selected areas. The results indicate that large herds of indigenous cattle are found in Nyanza, Eastern and Western provinces while Central and Rift Valley harbour the largest stock of pure breed cattle and crosses. Rural households with low incomes keep indigenous breeds while high income rural households keep pure breeds or various levels of crosses. Discrepancies exist in breeding objectives leading to low emphasis on animal registration and recording. While beef cattle producers focus on survival traits, market requirements emphasize fast growth and high live weight. Dairy producers on the other hand attempt to maximize exotic genes in their herds contrary to scientific evidence that require conditioning to environmental and resource endowments. Pre-occupation with re-stocking concerns contribute to food insecurity and aggravate losses during drought due to lack of an organized restocking initiative. It is observed that private provision of AI services is gradually edging upwards after government withdrawal but is far from the peaks achieved by the disbanded Kenya National Artificial Insemination Services. To avoid government policy reversal in areas unable to develop private AI service, replication of the successful Agro-vet shops and dairy co-operative models need to be accelerated. Organized bull schemes will also have to be revamped in recognition of the prevalent use of natural service to avoid inbreeding. The commercialization of CAIS’ services and it’s placement under the DVS complicates its role in the provision of cattle genetics. Beef and dairy cattle genetics regulatory services need to be consolidated, streamlined and strengthened under a legally empowered institution. The absence of a custodian for beef and dairy cattle genetic material and related regulations raises issues that tie in with the raging global debate on animal genetic resources and intellectual property rights.