Lamu Leaders Push for Fodder Farming to Sustain Rising Livestock Exports at New Port
Lamu County officials are calling on residents to invest in large-scale fodder production to support the fast-growing livestock export business at the Lamu Port. The appeal comes amid concerns that a persistent shortage of animal feed is slowing down operations at the multi-billion-shilling facility, where vessels transporting livestock to Oman often face delays due to lack of fodder for the animals. Deputy Governor Raphael Munyua warned that the region risks missing out on a lucrative market unless farmers urgently shift towards modern fodder farming.
Since Lamu Port launched livestock exports in 2022, the facility has handled at least 25,000 animals, including camels, cattle, sheep and goats, ferried to Oman aboard the MV Banyas 1 livestock carrier. But Munyua noted that despite the expanding trade, the county remains overly dependent on fodder purchases from other counties such as Laikipia, Narok and Kajiado. He stressed that fodder security is now just as critical as food security, especially during drought periods which often fuel clashes between farmers and pastoralists competing for scarce pasture. We cannot build a sustainable export trade while relying on rain-fed pasture. Farmers must see fodder farming as an economic opportunity, he said.
Local pastoralists have welcomed the proposal, saying it could help resolve long-standing grazing conflicts and improve livestock productivity. Lamu Pastoralists Community chairperson Muhumed Kalmei said residents are ready to convert designated grazing corridors into fodder production zones if equipped with the skills and resources necessary to run the enterprise. He also noted that planned fodder cooperatives could boost income for pastoral households while ensuring a steady supply for exporters using the port.
County officials say expanding fodder production would not only stabilise livestock exports but also reposition Lamu as a commercial hub for the wider Coast region. With the port expected to receive more livestock carriers in the coming years, Munyua emphasized the need for long-term planning, training programmes, and partnerships with the national government to secure sustainable feed supply chains. If we get this right, Lamu can become the country’s leading livestock export gateway, he said, urging residents to seize the emerging economic opportunity.