Eggs, anyone?

NAIROBI, Kenya

Kenya’s egg industry is still facing a lot of challenges despite the enormous opportunities created by growing population and urbanisation which promotes diversification of diet. The country has already developed a policy to govern the poultry subsector but is yet to be fully implemented. In addition, the poultry product can also be an excellent source of cheap protein, essential vitamins and minerals required by the body.

The average cost of an egg is between 11 to 17 U.S. cents which is affordable even to the low income earners. The main sources of animal protein such as beef, chicken and pork are out of the reach of ordinary Kenyans. The industry is also positioning itself to play a role in reducing the level of malnutrition in the country. Malnutrition is one of the causes of infant mortality. The country also suffers from low literacy levels which contribute to lack of knowledge of appropriate diets. This year’s World Egg Day, which was introduced by the International Egg Commission (IEC) in 1996, will be commemorated on Friday.

Kenya, which will be marking its third annual celebration, will be commemorate the occasion through nutrition talks on the benefits of the egg as well as cooking demonstrations. Nutrition and Dietetic Consultant Dr Alice Ndong said the amount of eggs that should be eaten depends on an individual’s lifestyle. “If your diet is mostly beans and vegetables, then five eggs per week are adequate to meet nutritional needs,” she said.

She noted that for those who consume lots of meat, three eggs per week will be sufficient. According to the nutritionists, excessive consumption of eggs will lead to a buildup of cholesterol in the body. Cholesterol causes arteries to clog and is a leading risk factor for heart attacks. However, eggs are good for pregnant women as they are a source of folic acid which is required to prevent Spina bifida in infants.National Poultry Farmers Chairlady Wairimu Kariuki said that poultry farming is a major source of employment in the country.

She added that most rural and peri-urban households keep chicken as source of protein as well as a revenue stream. Kariuki, who is also the Vice Chairlady of the East African Poultry Association, said that the sector is estimated to be a contributor to the livelihoods of over four million households in Kenya. According to the ministry of livestock, the poultry sub sector also contributes 1.7 percent to the Gross Domestic Product. “A strong farmers’ organization will also be key in order to protect their interests,” Kariuki, who is also the Kenya national Federation of Agricultural Producers (KENFAP) Commodity Council Representative said.

Animal Feeds firm, Novus Technical Sales Manager East Africa Dr David Nyagaka said that increased cost of inputs of chicken feed is one of the main challenges for poultry farmers.He said cost of chicken feeds constitutes over 80 percent of the cost of egg production.”The grains, oil seed cakes and fish meal which are the main ingredients of animal feeds have all experienced price increases in the recent past,” Nyagaka said. He added that in order to end the exploitation by middlemen, the firm will partner with telecoms companies in order to provide farmers with market prices of eggs in order to increase their bargaining power.

Sigma Supplies Customer Support Manager Robert Muchugia said that eggs for consumption are produced by commercial layers and indigenous chickens.He said that average production of a layer in Kenya is 300 eggs annually compared to developed worlds’ 354 eggs in the same period. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Kenya’s egg per capita consumption stands at 36 per year against the WHO standard of 182. Nutrimix Director Martin Kinoti said that Kenya has not developed an egg processing plant that is crucial in value addition. “The processing facility will help absorb excess production of eggs during periods of high supply,” he said.

He noted that Kenya is yet to exports its eggs as the local industry is yet to achieve the high stringent health safety standards required for poultry products. One of Kenya’s largest chicken breeders, Kenchic, said that Kenya currently produces over 1.2 billion eggs annually. Marketing Manager Humphrey Mwangi added that Kenya has a potential domestic demand of 6 billion eggs if the per capita consumption reaches WHO recommendations. (Xinhua)