The Vihiga county government is set to establish a milk processing plant in a strategic move, aimed at improving dairy farming through value addition in the region.
Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo said the initiative is aligned with the County Integrated Development Plan (2023–2027) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target 2.3, which seeks to double agricultural productivity and farmers’ incomes.
Dr. Ottichilo, who was accompanied by Deputy Governor Wilberforce Kitiezo, made the remarks in his office when he received a delegation from Sangam Milk Producer Company of Guntur, India.
The delegation, led by the Company’s Chairperson, Shri Dhulipalla Narendra Kumar and Managing Director, Gopalakrishnan Pazhayaveetil, is in the County to explore partnership opportunities aimed at setting up the facility.
The governor noted that Vihiga has the potential to significantly raise its milk production beyond the current 102,000 litres daily, if local farmers were to embrace commercial dairy farming.
“We have already created an enabling environment for dairy cooperative societies to develop and operate by equipping them with coolers and other necessary support,” he stated, adding that the County government is committed to supporting farmers to maximize productivity for enhanced income.
The delegation toured several dairy farms across the county, including Angote Chris in Emusutswi (300 litres/day), Sabatia Dairy Farm (500 litres/day), Zachariah Musalia of Upper hill Dairy Farm (180–200 litres/day), and Lupean Dairy and Poultry Farm in Inyali (300 litres/day) to assess their production capacity.
The engagement follows an earlier visit by the governor and his county team to India in May this year, facilitated through an existing MoU with Velocity Project Management Limited, represented by Hari Murthi.
During their visit, the Indian firm is expected to present a detailed report on the proposed partnership to the county leadership.
By Rose Wasike
