Meru dairy farmers have received a major boost following key pronouncements by President William Ruto aimed at improving the sector’s productivity, profitability, and resilience.
During the 10th Annual Meru Dairy Co-operative Union Farmers Field Day held at Gitoro ASK Showground in Meru County, the government and the Meru Dairy Co-operative Union unveiled new initiatives to address long-standing challenges faced by livestock farmers.
In a strategic move to combat low livestock prices and eliminate exploitation by middlemen, the Meru Dairy Co-operative Union launched a new website to market cows directly on behalf of farmers.
According to the Union’s CEO Kenneth Gitonga, the online platform will serve as a digital marketplace connecting farmers to reliable buyers, enabling them to sell their livestock at fair prices.
“For a long time, our farmers have been forced to sell their cows at very low prices. This platform will bring transparency in pricing and ensure our members get the true value for their livestock,” Gitonga said.
He emphasised that the platform was part of broader efforts by the union to embrace technology, not just in livestock sales, but also in milk collection, payments, and veterinary services.
Farmers within the co-operative have welcomed the development with optimism, expressing hope that the digital initiative would significantly improve their earnings and reduce dependence on middlemen who often take advantage of their lack of market access.
A farmer, Mr James Gatobu, told KNA that the move by the cooperative would enable them to get value for their hard work.
“We have been working hard on our farms but eventually, we end up getting discouraging prices for our animals. I hope this will come to be for the relief of all the farmers,” said Gatobu.
In further support of the dairy industry, President William Ruto made several pronouncements aimed at enhancing productivity and reducing costs for dairy farmers.
Among the most impactful announcements was the drastic reduction in the cost of sexed semen from Sh4,000 to Sh1,000, effective July 1.
“I don’t want to hear that farmers are being overcharged. Let’s maintain this price to support our farmers,” said President Ruto, urging dairy farmers to embrace the use of sexed semen for better herd planning and higher milk yields.
President Ruto also pledged support in reducing the high cost of animal feed, noting that an animal feed manufacturing plant would be operational by the end of the year.
“This plant will help lower feed prices, which are a major expense for dairy farmers,” he said.
To address milk wastage and improve storage capacity, the government has purchased 230 milk coolers for distribution nationwide.
Of these, 15 coolers have been allocated to Meru Dairy, with additional units earmarked for Tharaka Nithi, Embu, and Kirinyaga counties.
“We have agreed with county governments to prepare sites for these coolers. Once installed, they will reduce milk spoilage and enhance quality,” President Ruto added.
The President also addressed livestock health concerns, announcing the commencement of a vaccination campaign to combat diseases such as Lumpy Skin Disease, starting in Meru.
“We are committed to eradicating livestock diseases that are hurting our farmers,” he said.
The convergence of technological innovation by the Meru Dairy Co-operative Union and government-backed policy support signals a new era for dairy farmers in Meru and beyond.
Mr James Ndwiga from Embu County said if fully implemented, the measures put across by the government and the cooperative would be key in ensuring that farmers were happy with the returns from dairy farming, leading to a stabilised economy.
With better access to markets, lower production costs, improved animal health, and enhanced storage infrastructure, farmers stand to gain significantly in terms of income, productivity, and sustainability.
“These measures, if well-implemented and monitored, could transform the dairy sector into a more modern, resilient, and profitable enterprise, offering farmers the dignity and prosperity they deserve,” said Ms Jennifer Kageni, a farmer from Tharaka Nithi County.
By Dickson Mwiti
