Nairobi: The County Government of Turkana has announced plans to collaborate with the World Food Programme (WFP) in establishing a 50,000-hectare land dedicated to fodder production. The venture aims to produce 300,000 metric tonnes of fodder annually for both local use and export.
According to Kenya News Agency, the proposal was discussed during a meeting where Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus hosted a WFP delegation led by Deputy Country Director Bai Mankay Sankoh. An investor has shown interest in committing up to USD 100 million to the project through a Public-Private Partnership model.
The initiative is designed to bolster the resilience of pastoral communities by utilizing Turkana’s livestock and rangeland resources. Dr. Erus emphasized the importance of food security for the county and highlighted the potential of the livestock and pasture value chain in achieving this objective.
The Deputy Governor praised the inclusion of a knowledge transfer component aimed at strengthening local universities and advocated for the integration of vocational training centers into the proposed capacity-building framework. He reiterated the county’s encouragement for partners to invest in the livestock sector, aligning this initiative with the Governor’s vision of enhancing the pastoral economy.
Sankoh remarked that the proposal aligns with WFP’s ongoing efforts in ecosystem restoration and food systems resilience, especially in the face of climate change challenges. He pointed out the significant fodder supply deficit affecting both domestic and international markets, impacting key value chains such as meat production and the leather industry.
The discussions also covered the identification of suitable fodder varieties for local and export markets, the integration of rangeland management committees, the development of water supply systems, sustainability design, and the assessment of potential socio-economic impacts on local communities.
