By Ferdinand Mwongela

Come next month, the premier livestock show, the Brookside Livestock Breeders Show and Sale (BLBSS) will take place, bringing together stakeholders in the livestock farming and dairy industry.

According to John Gethi, Brookside Dairy’s Milk Procurement and Extension Services General Manager, the show puts Kenya on the map of the world attracting interest from different countries.

"Breeders from other countries are already showing interest in our livestock breeds," said Gethi. Brookside Dairy Ltd has sponsored the event since 1999.

The dairy firm has committed Sh19 million to this year’s show up from Sh13 million in the last edition of the biennial show held in 2009, after it was cancelled in 2008 due to the post election crisis.

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Farmers’ calendar

"We are involved in transactions with about 145,000 farmers on a daily basis," said Gethi, explaining the company’s involvement with the show, which he says is committed to the growth of the whole livestock industry.

Trucks deliver milk at Brookside plant.

John Gethi, the plant’s Milk Procurement and Extension Services General Manager

Initially starting more as a dairy breeds event, other breeders showed interest and expanded into a livestock breeders show with different stakeholders taking part in what has been billed as one of the biggest even in livestock farmers’ calendar.

Slightly different from the Agricultural Show of Kenya show held across the country, the livestock breeders show and sale only feature animals.

Apart from providing farmers with a forum to showcase their best and exchange ideas, the forum also highlights the relevance of the livestock industry to the local economy.

"It keeps the whole economy focused on the industry."

"The event helps voice the farmers’ concerns and critically serve to lobby Government to do more in disease control," said Gethi

Just last month, the Animal Production Society of Kenya petitioned for the return of the Veterinary Surgeons and Para-Professionals Bill 2010 to Parliament for more debate following amendments done at the committee stage which the association claimed were weighty and had far reaching implications to the sector.

The Bill seeks to outline provisions on matters relating to livestock production including the training, registration and licensing of veterinary professionals.

Brookside Dairy’s General Manager for milk procurement and extension services points out that the company helps in creating interest for the breeders show in the region.

The milk processor has tentacles spread across several East African countries as well as exporting its products to counties across the continent as well as some in South East Asia and the Middle East.

"This serves as part of extended farmer training programme and also part of our corporate social responsibility," he said.

With more than 30,000 visitors from different backgrounds and professions expected to grace the show, this year’s edition seeks to feature more demonstrations as well as other interactive sessions aimed at educating farmers on quality improvement.

Some of the things expected at the event are demonstrations on silage, biogas production, and machine milking among others.

Prizes for the winners will also be available in an effort to encourage farmers to continue improving on the quality of their breeds and produce.

Quality breeds

Events in this show include parade of livestock, judging of livestock, seminars and presentations among others.

The sponsors are optimistic about the show’s impact in the local livestock industry saying it helps farmers and other stakeholders create business linkages and learn from each other.

The title sponsor teams up with breeding societies from which a four-man organising committee is formed to put together the show.

The continued exposure and education of farmers has seen sectors dependent on livestock reap the benefits. According to Gethi, milk production has increased over the years and the potential for the dairy industry is still huge.

"Kenya is the largest producer of milk in the region and we are surrounded by milk deficit countries," he said, adding that all that remained was for people to exploit this unique opportunity with the expanding market both local consumption and export to as far South East Asia and the Middle East.

"Livestock is a sector with huge employment opportunities."

The livestock sector contributes about 10 per cent of the national GDP and 40 per cent of the agricultural GDP while the dairy sector on its own contributes 14 per cent of the agricultural GDP and 3.5 per cent of the national GDP.