Government pilots Smart Chip System to revolutionize livestock traceability

The government is in the process of rolling out an advanced chip-based identification system aimed at transforming livestock traceability and productivity across the country.

Unveiled during the launch of the upgraded Nambale livestock sale yard in Busia County, the Animal Identification and Traceability System (ANITRAC) marks a bold step toward modernizing livestock management.

At the heart of ANITRAC is a microchip-enabled tag assigned to each animal, which digitally stores key data like owner identity, breed type, birth records, weight, vaccine history, and even milk yield. According to Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke, the system is currently in the piloting phase on government farms and will soon be rolled out nationwide.

“Every animal will carry a tag with a chip. When scanned, the code reveals details such as the owner’s name, vaccination history, and production metrics. This isn’t just for tech’s sake, it’s about giving our farmers a tool to boost transparency and profitability,” said Mueke.

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Beyond data tracking, ANITRAC is expected to play a vital role in curbing livestock theft. Busia’s County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, George Mukok, emphasized its role in ensuring market integrity.

“The system secures animals from farm to market. With quarantine protocols and tag-based tracking, only healthy animals will be traded therefore, creating a safer, smarter livestock ecosystem,” he noted.

The ANITRAC system promises to reshape how animals are monitored throughout their lifecycle. Farmers will be able to verify vaccination records, improve breed management, and confidently present animals to the market with verified quality metrics.

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Additionally, Mueke highlighted ANITRAC’s potential in breeding innovation. Under the National Breed Improvement Programme, interventions like artificial insemination and embryo transfer delivered through government subsidies are being integrated with identification data to elevate productivity standards.

“Our challenge is low output despite high market demand. By combining smart identification with enhanced breeding, we’re setting farmers up to meet the quantity and quality the market needs,” he explained.

ANITRAC is part of a broader push by the government to digitize agriculture and open new opportunities for farmers through secure data ecosystems and smarter livestock investment.

By Masaki Enock

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