The National Government has handed over four solar-driven bulk milk coolers worth Sh18.8 million to cooperative societies in Kisii County that will benefit about 1200 dairy farmers.
Speaking during the flag off ceremony at the Kisii Agricultural Training Centre on the outskirts of Kisii town, Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke said the solar-driven, 1,000-litre capacity coolers will enable the farmers to aggregate 4,000 litres of milk every day and improve farmers’ earnings.
“The infrastructure will protect the daily yield from post-harvest spoilage and save 1.4 million litres of milk annually and boost the local economy,” PS Mueke noted.
Mueke further said that the government has put in place intervention measures to support farmers that include provision of subsidized sexed semen at Sh 1000, ongoing animal vaccination programs, and planned farmer field days to enhance sensitization and capacity building.
With the national project targeted at contributing to a 30% increase in household incomes among dairy farming and pastoralist communities by the year 2028, Mueke challenged the cooperative managements to guard and maintain these investments meticulously, breed better cows, and scale up daily production.
Broadcasting and Telecommunications PS Stephen Isaboke, who accompanied the Agriculture PS, said the initiative was part of the “whole of government approach” aimed at turning local dairy cooperatives into thriving commercial enterprises.
While the State Department for Livestock Development expands the physical cold-chain architecture, PS Isaboke noted the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications will provide critical digital and information infrastructure that makes these assets commercially viable.
“By coupling the milk coolers with modern connectivity, farmers can utilize public communication channels, localized digital informational programs, and national platforms like the MyGov newspaper, KBC channels, and the Kenya News Agency,” noted Isaboke.
According to the PS, this digital footprint will allow producers to access daily market price indexes, track weather patterns, and receive instant updates on animal husbandry and cooperative management.
Kisii Governor Simba Arati welcomed the initiative, saying the milk coolers will support ongoing programs such as the school milk feeding initiative, ensuring a steady supply of quality milk to learners while simultaneously boosting local farmer incomes.
“As a county, we remain committed to supporting the local dairy farmers by building our own local facility to provide a ready market and boost child nutrition,” said Arati.
The County Boss noted that in addition to establishing the milk processing factory at the ATC, plans were underway to install additional milk coolers across the county.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to continue working with the national government to further strengthen the dairy sector.
The beneficiary groups in Kisii included the Kekapu Women Group based in Nyosia within Bogeka Ward, Kitutu Chache South Constituency.
“As dairy farmers, we are grateful to the national and county governments for donating the milk coolers to our groups because the equipment will boost milk production and improve our earnings,” said Monica Awino, the Chairlady of the Kekapu group.
Others included the Bote Dairy Sacco Society, commercially known as the Majoge Farmers Self Help Group in Bomachoge Chache; the Nyamarambe Township Milk Handling Group in South Mugirango; and the Kisii South Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society within the Bonchari Constituency.
The team visited the County Milk Processing Factory at the Kisii Agricultural Training Center (ATC) to assess the progress of the project, which is aimed at driving value addition and supporting local dairy farmers.
By Mercy Osongo and Alfred Misheba
