Egyptian agri-business firm eyes poultry farming

By NICHOLAS WAITATHU

An Egyptian agri-business firm, Wadi Group, has announced plans to invest in the poultry industry.

The firm says its investment will solidify Kenya’s food security initiatives and create more employment opportunities.

The company’s top management made the announcement last week during the Africa Food Security Conference and Agri- Exhibition.

 Wadi Group Chief Executive Officer, Tony Freiji, said the investment will boost poultry farmers in semi-arid and arid counties, who will receive specialised training in best poultry-rearing practices.

This, he noted, would help to meet local demand for quality animal proteins as well as produce for export. ‘‘We know the Kenyan government is keen on achieving food security by providing fast-growing, disease-free poultry as well as well-balanced feed for a profitable poultry industry,’’ Freiji said, during the Conference in Nairobi.

He however declined to disclose the amount of money to be invested under the new project. Freiji explained that Wadi Group hopes to start operations in Kenya next year.

Food security           

In the recent past there has been increased attention to poultry farming as farmers’ endeavour to enhance food security in the country.

 He said the investment will provide local farmers with quality breeding stock by setting up advanced poultry farms and incubation facilities, provide high-quality feed and advanced technical services.

This, he observed, will increase productivity, make poultry farming more profitable and spur economic growth in semi-arid counties. 

“We are currently in negotiations with State departments and even county governments. Once we agree on the details of the investment, we will announce publicly,” he added.

 The management also met with senior government officials at the ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock, Industrialisation and Enterprise Development, the Investment Authority, as well as the Veterinary Authority.

‘‘Food security is a legitimate right for every developing country; you neither have to be timid about it nor intimidated by pressure upon you,’’ said Freiji. The group is also meeting with County Governors of Marsabit, Mogotio, Garissa, Isiolo and Kitui to establish the legal and other logistical requirements for rolling out operations.

The Kenya Poultry Association last week equally launched a training project aimed at putting chicken farmers under cooperative societies to improve their bargaining power.

“We would like all farmers to join cooperatives in order to eliminate the element of cartels, who have for long exploited poultry farmers by offering low prices,” says Wairimu Kariuki, the national chairman of the association.