National Animal Feeds Policy.

This national Animal feeds Policy is a nationwide sectoral document developed by the Government with the aim of developing the local capacity of stakeholders to optimally utilize the feed resources in order to (i) increase the supply as well as (ii) improve the quality of animal products and by-products and to (iii) maximize the economic and social benefits of the livestock sub sector. The Vision of the animal feeds policy is A developed feeds industry that contributes to increased livestock production and productivity thus contributing to the welfare and incomes of livestock raisers, feed manufacturers and distributors . The consequent Mission is to ensure a sustainable development of the Feds Industry that satisfies the national feeds requirements, provides excess for export and increases incomes for all involved in the industry.
The main goal of the Policy is to improve the livelihoods of the people by increasing livestock production and productivity through improved animal nutrition. Improved animal nutrition will be achieved through improved production and utilization of compounded animal feeds and forage. The overall objective of the Animal Feeds Policy, therefore, is to promote, support and guide the manufacture and marketing of animal feeds. To achieve the goal, specific objectives are (i) stimulate increased feed production and availability; (ii) ensure quality animal feeds on the market and protect end users against improperly formulated, contaminated, decomposed and deceptively packaged or labelled feeds; (iii) put in place strategies for reducing production costs and ensure that producers cater for their interests as well as those of livestock farmers with regard to feed prices and profitability; and (iv) build capacity among private and public sector for the development of the animal feeds industry.
To make agriculture more productive and sustainable, the Policy focuses on different ways to achieve an increased feed quality together with a greater availability, through the following (i) research in animal nutrition to identify alternative sources of especially energy and protein sources that are not in direct competition with industrial use or human consumption; (ii) increased production of raw materials for feed production; (iii) use of appropriate technologies; (iv) use of transferable technologies to expand small scale feed producers; (v) formulate and regularly review the National Animal Feeds Standards; (vi) development of private feeds analysis laboratories and setting up public referral laboratories; (vii) training of relevant staff on aspects of good quality feed production; and (viii) encourage the private sector to set up storage facilities to cater for seasonal variations in ingredient availability.
Given that the whole document, focusing on rural development, also provides for a reduction of poverty in those areas, a specific reference is given by the proposal of developing rural infrastructure to enhance access to raw material.
In order to enable more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems, main interventions shall be directed to (i) involve all categories of stakeholders in the animal feeds industry (farmers, animal feeds manufacturers, traders, policy makers, local governments, civic organizations and other service providers) in the identification of priority needs, planning and implementation of programs to improve the animal feeds industry; (ii) facilitate availability and accessibility of credit especially to the small feed manufacturers and input suppliers; (iii) encourage stakeholders to form groups for joint marketing strategies to reduce transport costs; (iv) take into consideration women special needs and interests (such as smallholder units, limited capital, access to labor) since women constitute more than 50% of the farmers who use animal feeds; and (v) being the farmers the key determinants of the relevance and effectiveness of the animal feeds policy, it should be increased their role up to including feedback to government and other stakeholders on the performance of the animal feeds on the market, report to the relevant authorities any malpractices observed in the feed industry, and advise government on priority needs regarding the delivery of services such as extension, research, inputs and credit.
AS for the Governance, the implementation of the policy will be the responsibility of both the public and private sectors. The public sector will play a guiding, supporting and regulatory role. The private sector will take a leading role in the production and marketing of animal feeds and, where possible, will provide support services to the industry. The Policy provides for the establishment of an Animal Feeds Advisory and Technical Committee at the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), composed of representatives from both the public and private sectors, with the following tasks (i) advise government on policy, regulations and standards in the animal feeds industry; (ii) guide and advise on the registration and licensing of animal feeds manufacturers, importers and distributors; (iii) monitor and review the regulatory framework; and (iv) advise government on other matters pertaining to the development of the animal feeds industry. A fundamental role is also given to local governments, in conformity with the government policy of decentralization.