PS Mueke: Government Plans To Double Milk Production, Boost Income For Small-scale Dairy Farmers
Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke (in suit) and Gatundu South MP GG Kagombe at Ndarugu Dairy Farmers Co-opertaive Society in Gitwe village, Gatundu South
By John Kamau
The Kenyan Government is actively implementing policies and strategies to boost milk production and boost income for small-scale dairy farmers across the country.
Department of Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke says that among the initiatives is distribution of some 230 milk coolers to farmers’ dairy cooperatives in 40 counties with an aim of reducing milk spoilage, ensure quality and improve income for farmers.
Speaking while delivering a 5000-liter milk cooler to Ndarugu Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society in Gitwe village, Gatundu South, the PS pointed out that the programme is part of the government’s broader effort to enhance milk aggregation and quality, safety and market access for farmers.
Mueke, who was accompanied by the area MP Gabriel Kagombe and officials from the Kenya Dairy Board, noted that the milk cooler will strengthen the cooperative’s ability to handle larger volumes, reduce spoilage, and meet market standards, benefiting more than 1,200 member farmers.
“By investing in infrastructure like bulk milk coolers, the government is improving milk quality, aggregation and market access. These installations are more than just equipment; they serve as drivers of rural economic activity, value addition, and employment,” Mueke said.
The PS also pointed out that in a bid to subsidize the cost of production and improve the dairy sector, the government has scrapped tax on importation of feeds concentrates including yellow maize, a move that will lower the cost of feeds significantly.
He also announced that the government has started implementing the directive by President William Ruto to reduce the cost of sexed semen from as high as sh 8,000 to sh 1,000. This he said will help in improving dairy cattle genetics and help increase production.
The PS also rallied farmers to uphold the mass vaccination of their livestock, a programme rolled out by the Government, noting that the primary goal is to control transboundary animal diseases, such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), which can significantly impact animal health and productivity.
Mueke pointed out that the vaccination campaign is intended to improve the quality of livestock products, enabling access to both national and international markets including the Middle East where the government has sought new markets through trade deals.
“Our President has signed many bilateral trade deals with many countries and especially in the Middle East which provide ready markets for our livestock and other related products. This is why we are encouraging our farmers to ensure that their livestock are properly vaccinated so that they can meet the quality required by the overseas markets,” Mueke said.
The PS also dispelled rumors that the vaccines are not safe saying that they have met the required international standards adding that Kenya is manufacturing enough vaccines for local utilization and export to over 15 countries.
On his part, MP Kagombe hailed the Kenya Kwanza administration for reducing tax on feeds concentrates and supplements imports saying that the move will not only lower the cost of production and improve yields but will go a long way in economically empowering dairy farmers.
He also noted that through his office, he will ensure installation of a borehole at the Ndarugu cooperative to ensure an all-time of sufficient water and help cut costs accrued from water bills.
He at the same time revealed that plans are at an advanced stage to install a milk pasteurizer to start value addition in a bid to boost farmers’ income as well as create jobs.
“We will ensure that this Dairy Co-operative gets a borehole to cut water costs. Again we are upholding value addition as a key to financial stability for the co-operative and increased returns for the farmers. We will collaborate with relevant authorities and offices to ensure that this plan becomes a reality,” Kagombe said.
The Co-operative Chairman Daniel Kamau underscored the importance of the new milk cooler saying that it will help increase their capacity from the current 6,000 liters to 11,000 liters.
Farmers led by Priscilla Nyokabi hailed that government for the interventions it has made to revive and grow the dairy sector saying that they are now receiving better prices for their milk. Milk prices have increased from lows of sh 30 to over sh 50 in the past three years.
They however called on the government to seek new markets for their milk and other dairy products so as to increase their earnings and help transform their livelihoods.
Nyokabi at the same time urged the State to make more proper interventions to lower the cost of feeds saying that the augmented costs have pushed many farmers out of business as they eat into the returns.
“The high cost of feeds has seen many farmers abandon their farming because it is not sustainable. This is why we are appealing to the government to implement policies and strategies that are geared towards lowering the cost of feeds. This will go a long way in empowering smallholder farmers economically,” Nyokabi said.
Ends…………
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