Farmer’s Choice is one of the biggest processors of meat products in Kenya. The company is known for its full range of meats, including fresh and processed sausages, bacon, smokies, ham, beef, lamb, pork, and chicken.
Since it was founded in 1980, Farmers Choice has over the years created employment for thousands of Kenyans both directly and indirectly.
The firm has also served as a reliable market for farmers engaged in cattle, chicken, and pig farming. However, to win a contract to supply live livestock to the agro-processing firm, various standards must be met.
According to Farmer’s Choice CEO Felisters Gitau Mutugu, the company trains farmers on the best farming practices to meet the required standards. The training covers key areas including best genetics, feeding and disease management.
“For Farmers’ Choice, one of our key stakeholders is our farmers because we deal with meat and meat products. To get this meat consistently, we work closely with farmers. We make sure we avail for them the best genetics and work with the Ministry of Livestock,” Ms Mutugu explained.
“We also provide feed at subsidised prices because feed is over 70% of what an animal needs to convert into meat. Our extension officers help farmers with disease management and farm management to ensure profitability,” she added.
The CEO explained that the company purchases live animals from farmers per kilogram, based on a grading system that accounts for the animals’ ratio of lean meat to bones and fats.
For farmers supplying cattle, Mitugu noted that they sell about 350 Kilograms at Sh500 per kg, translating to Sh175,000 per cattle.
The price per kilo varies depending on grading. The grading is based on factors such as back fat and the bone-to-meat ratio.
“For cattle beyond 350 kilos, we buy at an average of over Sh500 per kilogram. We educate farmers on grading, back fat, and bone-to-meat ratio to ensure they sell more meat, not just bone. It’s about working with the farmer from the beginning, including disease management, so that all animals survive and generate income,” she said.
On the other hand, farmers supplying pigs for bacon and sausages earn about Sh400 per kg of pork, with adult pigs selling for between Sh30,000 and Sh40,000.
ALSO READ: Bernard Nyaramba: What it took me to win a contract at Farmer’s Choice
Did you love the story? You can also share YOUR story and get it published on Bizna Click here to get started.