The Government has launched 25 milk coolers to boost dairy farming, improve milk quality, and increase farmers’ earnings.
The launch, held at Uhuru Park, brought together dairy farmers and stakeholders from across the country, who highlighted challenges affecting the sector, including milk hawking, high production costs, expensive electricity, low returns, and a shortage of quality dairy breeds.
Speaking during the event, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, said Kenya’s dairy industry continues to perform well and remains the leading producer of packaged milk in Africa.
Kagwe, however, warned against milk hawking, saying it poses serious health risks due to the sale of unprocessed milk and limits opportunities for value addition in the dairy industry.
“I urge especially mothers with young children to ensure they consume milk whose quality can be verified,” said Kagwe, noting that licensed milk processors adhere to strict quality and safety standards.
The CS said the government is committed to reducing production costs for livestock farmers through various interventions, including the introduction of solar-powered milk coolers to lower electricity expenses and increase farmers’ profits.
He also invited farmers capable of large-scale farming of yellow maize and other crops to participate in the government’s Land Commercialization Initiative, aimed at reducing the cost of animal feed.
“When farmers do well, the country also prospers,” Kagwe said, adding that the dairy sector creates employment opportunities through milk processing and value addition.
The CS noted that increasing milk powder production would help stabilize milk prices by creating export opportunities in regional markets despite seasonal weather changes.
Kagwe further assured farmers that the Ministry is working closely with the National Treasury to support milk processing through the provision of necessary equipment to processors.
He urged farmers to work with the Kenya Dairy Board to access quality breeds through improved genetics.
“The President has approved the supply of sexed semen to farmers to help improve dairy breeds,” said Kagwe, adding that the cost of the semen has been reduced from Sh9,000 to about Sh1,500.
He emphasized the importance of farmer training, proper animal husbandry, and dairy education in improving milk production and encouraged more youth and upcoming farmers to venture into dairy farming.
The milk coolers are expected to improve milk collection, preserve quality standards, and enable farmers to access formal and competitive markets, in line with the government’s agenda on food security, value addition, and increased livestock productivity.
By James Kabutu and James Mburu
