Regional Workshop  on Promotion of Good Practices of  Fodder and  Seed To Private Sector For Increased Investment Undertaken 

IGAD Centre for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD) has organized the above regional workshop during the period 6th – 7th, April, 2017 in Elementaita, Kenya. The delegates for this workshop were drawn IGAD member states that are potential and current investors involved on fodder/fodder seed production and marketing In IGAD region, feed inadequacy in terms of volume and quality has negatively impacted the traded livestock as well as the livelihoods of many livestock producers. A good example is animals are dying due to mainly lack of feed and water during the frequent drought facing the countries in the region. Other challenges with regard to feed include the observed mismatch between demand and supply of feed, seasonality, expansion of cropping and invasive species and poor nutritive value. In response to these challenges, ICPALD since its establishment has undertaken some interventions such as compilation of good practices on fodder and establishing and operationalizing the regional fodder and rangelands platform. This workshop aimed at sharing some practical lessons on good practices on fodder and fodder seed to private sector for increased investment and enhancing availability of quality fodder and seed throughout the year; thereby contributing to livelihoods and income including through exporting within the region and to Middle East countries
The shared lessons include a compilation of regional, continental and some global lessons. The experiences shared cover commercialized, community-based and cooperative fodder/fodder seed production and marketing.. The package of investment incentives were also reviewed and found encouraging in some countries like Sudan and moderately encouraging in Ethiopia and Kenya.
The workshop recommended to up-scale good practices widely , strengthen the capacity of the actors and the fodder and range regional platform and advocate for encouraging package of incentives to attract more investors and maintain the existing ones
ICPALD expresses its appreciation to European Union (EU) for funding this activity under the Regional Integration Support Programme (RISP3) and Reinforcing Veterinary Governance Programme (Vet-Gov).