USAID LMS to showcase Northern Kenya’s livestock sector gains at the Meat Expo 2024

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the Feed the Future Kenya Livestock Market Systems Activity (USAID LMS), USAID Kuza, and USAID Resilience Learning Activity (RLA) will take part in the Kenya Meat Expo 2024 from June 12 to14 to back deliberations on expanding economic opportunities for livestock keepers amidst ongoing efforts to diversify the country’s meat industry.

USAID is a strategic partner of the Government of Kenya in hosting the Meat Expo, which is themed “Revolutionizing the Meat Industry for Bottom-Up Economic Transformation.”

The event, organized in partnership with the Government of Kenya’s State Department of Livestock and Nation Media Group, will provide a dynamic platform for businesses in the meat industry and livestock sector to forge invaluable connections and strategic partnerships.

During the event, USAID through the Kenya Livestock Market System (USAID KLMS) Activity will facilitate discussions on the need for co-investments between the government and private sector in the livestock value chain, the vital role of cooperatives in the sector, concerted efforts towards drought and flood mitigation, and inclusive livestock market systems.

Additionally, USAID will support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in showcasing advancements in the meat value chain and reflecting on the achievements and lessons learned over the past seven years in Northern Kenya.

“Over the past seven years, USAID through LMS Activity has boosted Northern Kenya’s resilience by enhancing market access for pastoralists and traders through targeted interventions and strategic partnerships,” said Joe Sanders, Chief of Party of USAID LMS.

With the meat market in Kenya projected to grow by 10 per cent by 2028, the country’s arid and semi-arid counties, which make the biggest contribution to the livestock sector, are poised for key investments aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of products from the region, building resilience against challenges, such as perennial droughts, and improving lives of communities in the region.

“As we participate in the Meat Expo, we are committed to partner with the Government of Kenya to create jobs, increase access to services, and incomes for livestock producers in Kenya aimed at wealth creation through value addition such as in the meat sector,” Andrew McCown, the US Government Feed the Future Country Coordinator at USAID Kenya/East Africa, said.

Since 2017, USAID, over 111,125 households in Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, and Wajir counties have benefited from a strengthened market system supported by USAID through the KLMS activity.

Additionally, 5,497 businesses, most of which were women-owned, had a 43 per cent increase in incomes due to start-up grants to SMEs provided by USAID. The businesses have created 1,200 direct and indirect jobs, improving food and market access for over 100,000 families.

As part of its effort to diversify livelihoods, create jobs and incomes for livestock producers, USAID has also committed $52.5 Million (Ksh6.9 billion), in support of private sector businesses in Kenya’s ASALs through the USAID KUZA INK fund.

In addition, USAID has mobilized over Ksh37 billion in co-investments with nine county governments, through the Resilience Learning Activity.

Read: West Pokot, Turkana Enterprises Receive Ksh290M in Loans from USAID Kuza

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