Kenya Poultry Farmers Association Calls for Protection from Unfair Competition

• The Poultry Farmers Association of Kenya (PFAK) has urged the government to introduce measures to protect local poultry producers from unfair competition.
• Kenyan farmers are struggling to access affordable financing, technology, and government support, making it difficult for them to compete with industrial-scale farms established by foreign investors.
• The association is calling on the national and county governments to enact legislation protecting local poultry farmers from unfair market practices and establish investment guidelines that complement rather than displace local producers.

Kenyan poultry farmers are not opposed to investment or international partnerships. However, competition must be fair. Local farmers cannot compete against investors who have access to substantial capital, advanced technologies and extensive financial backing that most Kenyan producers simply do not have.

The emergence of large-scale poultry farms in Kenya has created an uneven playing field for local farmers, who face significant challenges in competing with foreign investors. According to the Poultry Farmers Association of Kenya (PFAK), Kenyan farmers are struggling to access affordable financing, technology, and government support, making it difficult for them to compete with industrial-scale farms established by Chinese-owned investors. The association warns that without government intervention, many small and medium-scale poultry farmers could be forced out of business, leading to job losses and lower household incomes.

The PFAK is calling on the national and county governments to enact legislation protecting local poultry farmers from unfair market practices and establish investment guidelines that complement rather than displace local producers. The association also urged the government to improve access to affordable credit for Kenyan farmers, who currently face high feed costs and limited financial backing.

The poultry industry in Kenya supports hundreds of thousands of households, particularly women and youth, while also sustaining businesses across various value chains. However, the association warns that if left unchecked, foreign control could lead to a decline in local investments and undermine Kenya's food security.

The PFAK has expressed concerns over the growing competition from large-scale poultry farms established by foreign investors. The association argues that these industrial-scale farms have an unfair advantage due to their access to substantial capital, advanced technologies, and extensive financial backing. This, they claim, creates a significant barrier for local farmers who lack the resources to compete.

The PFAK is urging the government to introduce policies that ensure fair competition in the poultry industry. The association believes that this can be achieved by establishing investment guidelines that complement rather than displace local producers and providing access to affordable credit for Kenyan farmers.

According to Susan Mwangi, a spokesperson for the PFAK, local farmers support international partnerships but are concerned about unfair competition. She emphasized that 'competition must be fair' and that local farmers cannot compete against investors who have significant advantages.

The poultry industry in Kenya plays a crucial role in supporting the country's food security. However, the association warns that if left unchecked, foreign control could lead to a decline in local investments and undermine Kenya's ability to produce its own food. The PFAK is urging the government to act quickly to safeguard local investments and strengthen the country's food security.

The association believes that this can be achieved by introducing legislation protecting local poultry farmers from unfair market practices and establishing investment guidelines that complement rather than displace local producers. By doing so, Kenya can ensure a sustainable and equitable poultry industry that supports its people and economy.

This development may require lawyers to advise clients on the implications of unfair competition laws in Kenya, particularly with regards to protecting local businesses from foreign investors.

Source: Original reporting via Capital FM