PROMOTING ORGANIC POULTRY VALUE CHAIN FOR FOOD SECURITY IN EASTERN KENYA. PRESENDENT BY: EUNICE MUKAI PHILLES. BENEAGROVET P.O BOX 226-90300, MAKUENI KENYA.

BACK GROUND Meat from organic chicken – called ‘kuku kinyeji’ – are sought after commodities in urban Markets in Kenya. ‘Kuku kienyeji’ are the traditional semi-scavenging village chicken, found in every Rural homestead. In some areas, including Makueni District, women are becoming specialists in rearing Kuku kinyeji’. They keep between 500 and 1000. The chickens are kept for the sole purpose of income generation. The producers are quit Knowledgeable in many areas related to poultry production, e.g. they grow a special kind of millet as a Supplementary for chicken feed. While they are commercially oriented, they still lack some of the Entrepreneurial skills required to plan and manage a rural business. Especially marketing is a problem to them. They get very low farm-gate prices, and they see traders and middle-men as exploiters. They Know that ‘kuku kinyeji’ fetches higher prices at the Nairobi market than ‘modern’ chicken (also called ‘Kuku kizungu‘.

WHY ORGANIC POULTRY FARMING IN EASTERN KENYA. Among the livestock enterprises, organic poultry production is the most widespread in eastern region. About 98% of all farm families in this region keep organic chicken. There is very high potential in rearing of organic poultry in this region despite the frequent poorly distributed rainfall; drought tolerant crops do well which is used to form the bulk ingredients in formation of chicken feeds. Eastern region in Kenya is 87% ASAL and very marginal to successful crops production. The area faces frequent rainfall failure followed by prolonged dry spell. During this period it is difficult to keep large stock and the surviving organic chicken becomes the mitigating option for many farmers as they await relief food from government and other agencies.

We therefore wish to collaborate with farmers to promote organic poultry value chain to enhance household incomes and subsequently improve standards of living for farmers. We hope to increase productivity of this enterprise by 20% and increase household incomes by 40% by the end of four years.

PURPOSE The purpose of the company is to ensure that farmers practice organic farming which will be free from the use of inorganic products. Buy and slaughter farmers chicken at a better price, supply the meat to the super markets and any other outlet. Address the health issues of the consumer and the farmer while taking care of the environment.

GOAL The main goal is to produce organic chicken to meet market demand both at domestic level and at international level and to ensure that there is sustainable production in order for both farmers and company to get a fair share of the income hence improve their livelihood.

Income increased to farmer by 40%. OBJECTIVES By the year 2015, 90% of poultry farmers in Eastern Kenya will have adopted organic farming methods on large scale. Income increased to farmer by 40%. Establishment of organic value chain, financing product to address issues of financial constrains in organic business. Development of domestic and international poultry organic markets.

ACTION AND MILESTONES. To achieve the organic poultry production in a large scale the following activities will be undertaken over a period of three years.

ACTIVITY INDICATORS TIME FRAME TARGET BY WHO Cary out an organic value chain analysis. Value chain gaps and entry points. Sep 2011 Dec 2011 Actors in value chain Bene, Selected group leaders Conduct stakeholders for information dissemination. 80% of the stakeholders support the implement 0f project. Feb 2012 Mar 2012 Key stakeholders DVO DLPO Data collection on target areas. 90% farms meet criteria Mar 2o12 April 2012 500 farmers to start

ACTIVITY INDICATORS TIME FRAME TARGET BY WHO Awareness,creation,and selection of the identify farmers to collaborate with company 95% of the selected farmers adopt the organic farming method April 2012 480 farmers Bene, DLPO, DVO Development of organic training Manual for farmers 100% of adoption of organic methods June 2012 Dec 2012 Organic production hand book in place Bene company, ABD, Monitoring and evaluation 10% organic poultry exported and 90% consumed in domestic market June 2015, Dec 2015 Sustainable organic farming. Bene company

To make all targeted farmers change completely to organic farming. CRITERIA OF SUCCESES To make all targeted farmers change completely to organic farming. Certification and standards marks acquired. Organic Chicken exporters are able to sell their products. Organic feeds company development and established research institutions for organic products. Farmers are getting premium prices. Established contacts farming between farmers and buyers. Established organic organization for lobbying and advocacy. Market access to both international and national markets to be consistent.

ASSUMPTIONS The SME and small holder’s farmers will play their roles effectively. Government policies on organic farming will be in force and remain favorable and will be strengthened. Political stability will continue. Global economy will continue on its recovery path.