Issues Affecting Beef Industry in Kenya: Proceedings of the Workshp held at Midland Hotel, Nakuru, 19th-20th, 2001

Abstract

Agriculture sector is estimated to contribute about 30% of Gross Domestic Product(GDP)in Kenya. The population of beef cattle in Kenya is estimated at 9 million heads. Nearly 70% of the beef herd is found in the semi-arid and arid areas. Local demand for beef is expected to increase with rise in population and improved per capita income. KARI ranks beef industry as the second most important commodity for research only second to dairy,improvement in beef industry will have great impact in improving rural standard of living especially for people in the dry parts of the country who depend on livestock for livelihood. Further more, there is high potential of exporting beef and co-products, thus earning the much desired foreign exchange.