Farmer's Christmas in Kenya comes early as Sidai Africa unveils livestock service network

By Dan Muhuni
(danielmuhuni@yahoo.com)

Farmers in Kenya will have something to smile about this Christmas as a newly established social enterprise, Sidai Africa unveil plans to roll out full scale livestock service centers across the country.
The ultra modern centers will offer a one stop shop of veterinary services and quality products to livestock farmers , through a strategy that will promote preventive herd and flock health care in different parts of Kenya, including the marinalised Arid and Semi Arid lands.
Speaking during the launch in a Nairobi hotel, Sidai Managing Director Mr Anthony Wainaina said the company has so far rolled out 16 Sidai franchises in North Rift, North Eastern province, Kaiado and Narok in the aim of populising the company among the Kenyans.
"Through these franchises, we are not only creating a link for small scale farmers but going the extra mile by offering other quality extension services necessary to raise healthy and productive livestock", he said.
The sidai model seeks to tranform livestock farming, by giving farmers more interactive platform, access to competitive priced quality inputs and appropriate business linkages.

Sidai Africa Limited Managing Director Anthony Wainaina (left) and Kenya
Livestock Producers Association CEO Patrick Kimani compare notes during the
Sidai Africa unveiling of plans to roll out full-scale ultra-modern
livestock centers across Kenya at Laico Regency

Wainaina added that the Sidai model seeks to create a supportive framework that will make livestock farming a rewarding venture. "Small scale farmers contribute significantly within the daily sector alone, their productions collectively account for more than 85% of milk deliveries to processors". added Wainaina.
Speaking at the launch, Patrick Maina, Chief executive of the Kenya Livestock Producers Association said that local farmers stood to gain immensely from the structured and streamlined services. With the entry of Sidai Africa, we are confident that farmers country wide will now gain immensely in practical terms", he said.
Sidai targets to open up 150 livestock service centers by 2015, with an initial focus on areas that have traditionally failed to attract professional veterinary extension services.
These centers, which will operate as Sidai franchises, will create a strong support system that ultimately enables farmers to increase their yields and gain better returns.
Mr Kawithia, a small scale farmer in Uthiru says that if indeed Sidai keeps the promise then achieving millennium development goals will be a reality. Kawithia adds that Kenyan farmers have been subjected to quarks who claim to be Agricultural extension officers, veterinary doctors who ends up frustrating the farmers.