A major boost is set to transform dairy farming in Kericho after Cherobu Farmers’ Dairy Cooperative Society in Cheboin Ward, Bureti Sub-County received a Sh10 million Enterprise Development Programme (EDP) grant under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) to strengthen milk processing, expand value addition, and improve earnings for hundreds of smallholder farmers.
According to Kericho Governor Dr. Erick Mutai, the cooperative currently aggregates more than 15,000 litres of milk daily from surrounding farmers and has the potential to scale up to over 25,000 litres once its processing infrastructure is fully upgraded, positioning it as a key driver in the county’s dairy transformation agenda.
He noted that the grant will enable the cooperative to expand value addition, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve access to higher-value markets, ultimately increasing profitability for farmers across the dairy value chain.
While addressing residents and stakeholders during the issuance of the grant in Cheboin Ward, Dr. Mutai explained that the county government is deliberately shifting focus from raw milk sales to value addition through investment in processing infrastructure and strengthened cooperative systems.
“This investment is aimed at strengthening value addition so that farmers are not only producers of raw milk but active participants in processing, enabling them to earn more stable and significantly higher incomes from value-added dairy products that attract better market prices,” Dr. Mutai stated.
He further emphasized that the intervention is expected to improve milk handling efficiency, reduce post-harvest losses, and create more sustainable income streams for farming households. Dr. Mutai added that cooperatives remain central to rural economic transformation and farmer empowerment.
The governor also highlighted that the county government has continued to equip dairy cooperatives with essential infrastructure including milk cooling plants, feed mixers, tractors, and other equipment aimed at enhancing productivity and maintaining high quality standards.
“We are building a complete dairy value chain where milk is not only produced but properly handled, cooled, processed, and marketed in a way that maximizes returns for farmers while minimizing losses along the chain,” Dr. Mutai explained.
He further revealed that more than 10 dairy cooperatives across Kericho County have already benefited from similar interventions under ongoing agricultural support programmes aimed at strengthening cooperative enterprises and increasing milk productivity.
“We are committed to ensuring that every cooperative is empowered because they form the backbone of rural livelihoods and play a critical role in driving economic growth at the grassroots,” Dr. Mutai noted.
Dr. Mutai confirmed that Lelu Dairy Cooperative Society and Cheptororiet Dairy Cooperative Society are among the next beneficiaries lined up under the continued rollout of enterprise development grants across the county.
He reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to expanding agricultural value addition programmes, stating that they are key in improving incomes, creating employment opportunities, and strengthening food security.
The initiative is part of a broader partnership between the county government and development partners under NAVCDP aimed at enhancing competitiveness, sustainability, and long-term growth of the dairy value chain in Kericho County.
In attendance were area Member of County Assembly (MCA) Hon. Francis Terer, cooperative leaders, county officials, and farmers who welcomed the initiative as a major step toward strengthening the local dairy economy.
By Kelox Mutai
