Bidco Enters Animal Feeds Processing in Sh1.2bn Joint Venture

Bidco Land O’Lakes on 4^th December 2019 opened its new state-of-the-art animal manufacturing feed plant in Nakuru.

Bidco Land O’Lakes is a joint venture launched in 2016 between Bidco Africa, East Africa’s leading manufacturer of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and Land O’Lakes Inc., one of America’s largest farmer-owned cooperatives.  

Boon for livestock farmers

The joint venture formulates performance diets that provide value in the Kenyan market and has invested $12 million (Ksh1.2 billion) into the Nakuru plant which targets to produce more than 28 metric tonnes per hour of animal nutrition products.

The official opening was presided over by the Cabinet Secretary of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, Mr Peter Munya. 

“This plant now adds another 160,000 metric tonnes per annum of world-class feeds manufacturing capacity to empower our farmers and agribusinesses with much more competitiveness by increasing the farmers’ outputs and yields so that they are much more viable in their markets,” said Mr Vimal Shah, the chairman of Bidco Africa.

“Farmers in Kenya have welcomed zero-grazing and this will also in effect assist in the overall agenda on climate change too.”

Mr Dave Hoogmoed, Executive Vice President of Land O’Lakes, Inc said the products will provide Kenyan farmers with the latest tools and technologies to advance their livelihoods. “Animal food production is rapidly moving forward in Kenya. We are leveraging our company’s experience, knowledge and technology to help farmers optimize production and focus on return-on-investment,” he said.

In addition to Bidco Feeds brand, the plant has added new Land O’Lakes Advanced Nutrition products to target progressive livestock producers whose focus is high performance and productivity.

Read >> Kenyans Smelling the Coffee, Finally, as Demand Grows

Bidco Land O’Lakes plans to introduce four new products: Pro Calf Starter, Pro Heifer Developer, Pig Starter 4-4-4 and Pro Calf Milk Replacer, among others.

Processing at the plant will follow rigorous standards, including testing ingredients for quality, and right mix of nutritional elements, they said.