Ndaragu Dairy Cooperative society has received a boost in infrastructure under the National Dairy support programme.
The equipment that was handed over to the Society by the Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for Livestock Development, Jonathan Mueke, accompanied by the Gatundu South Constituency Member of Parliament, Gabriel Kagombe, includes a 5,000-litre milk cooler, pasteuriser, and a backup generator.
The ceremony was also attended by local leaders, Ministry officials, and hundreds of jubilant farmers, who expressed optimism for increased income and better bargaining power in the market.
PS Mueke said the equipment is part of the government’s ongoing national rollout of milk cooling infrastructure under Phase II of the Dairy Value Chain Support Programme (DVCSP).
Ndarugu Dairy Cooperative is one of 230 farmer cooperatives across Kenya benefiting from this initiative.
“The handover of coolers not only boosts rural economies but also encourages sustainable practices among beneficiary cooperatives to maximise their utility and profitability,” he said.
The backup generator handed over will ensure uninterrupted operations at the facility, particularly in milk cooling and storage during power outages, which have been a persistent challenge for smallholder farmers.
Kenya’s dairy industry remains one of the most productive agricultural sectors, contributing 4 per cent to the National GDP and sustaining over 2 million livelihoods; hence, the government’s investment in bulk milk coolers is intended to enhance milk aggregation, improve quality control, and increase access to lucrative markets for dairy farmers.
“This is just the beginning; we will continue to assist the society, and I am committed to ensuring they acquire a packaging machine for value addition of the milk they collect from our farmers,” he said.
Local farmers were grateful for the move. Margaret Njoki, a small-scale farmer who has sold milk for many years, said there has been a struggle to keep milk from going bad.
“Now, with proper storage cooling, our milk will last longer, sell better, and meet quality standards. We’re truly grateful to our leaders for listening to our cries,” she said.
During Phase I of the DVCSP (2017–2022), 350 milk coolers were distributed across 38 counties, significantly expanding cooperative capacity. Phase II targets 40 counties, with coolers ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 litres in capacity.
The handover marks another milestone in strengthening grassroots dairy cooperatives, advancing Kenya’s broader agricultural modernisation agenda and improving the livelihoods of local farmers through strategic infrastructure support.
By Victoria Muthoni
