Kangunu coffee farmers receive milk lorry as dairy venture boosts incomes
Mathioya MP Edwin Mugo (keft) and Murang'a Woman Rep. Betty Maina during the handing over of the lorry to the chairman of Kangunu Coffee Factory.
By Bernard Munyao
Farmers affiliated to Kangunu Coffee Cooperative Society in Mathioya, Murang’a County, have received a milk transport lorry, fulfilling a pledge made by President William Ruto and Mathioya MP Edwin Mugo to support the society’s growing dairy enterprise.
The lorry is expected to improve milk collection and transportation after the cooperative diversified from coffee farming into dairy production by installing a milk cooling plant at the factory.
Speaking during the handover ceremony last Friday, Mathioya MP Edwin Mugo said the delivery of the vehicle marked the fulfilment of a promise made to empower local farmers and strengthen their economic activities.
“What was once a commitment to empower our farmers has now become a reality. This milk lorry is more than just a vehicle; it is a direct investment in the livelihoods of our dairy farmers,” said Mugo.
He noted that the vehicle will significantly improve milk collection, reduce post-harvest losses, lower transport costs and ensure farmers deliver quality milk to the market in good time.
The MP, who was accompanied by Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina, lauded farmers for embracing dairy farming as an additional source of income saying diversification has strengthened household earnings.
He observed that milk prices have risen to over KSh45 per litre, while reforms in the coffee sector have also led to improved coffee prices, boosting farmers’ incomes across the county.
To further strengthen coffee production, Mugo donated 20,000 coffee seedlings to Kangunu Coffee Farmers’ Cooperative Society.
He said the new coffee variety is high-yielding and will help farmers increase production and improve their earnings.
The legislator further revealed that the National Government has allocated KSh2 billion in the next financial year’s budget to offset debts owed by coffee factories across the country.
He said the allocation will help reduce the estimated KSh6 billion debt burden weighing down many coffee cooperatives.
In addition, Mugo donated three motorcycles to young people from the area to support self-employment and create new economic opportunities.
“These milestones demonstrate the importance of visionary leadership, keeping promises and investing in projects that directly transform the lives of wananchi,” he added.
Murang’a Woman Rep Betty Maina on her part said the cooperative’s dairy venture has recorded remarkable growth, with daily milk collection increasing from about 2,000 litres a few months ago to more than 6,000 litres.
She attributed the turnaround to improved leadership after the cooperative overcame management challenges and corruption that had previously pushed it into debt.
“One year ago, members were worried about poor management and corruption. Today, those challenges have been addressed through sound leadership, and the results are evident,” She said.
Maina noted that the improved management has also seen coffee farmers receive better returns, with payments increasing from Sh. 80 per kilogramme to Sh.133 per kilogramme during the latest coffee payment, making Kangunu among the top-performing coffee societies in the country.
She said the cooperative is now earning income from both coffee and dairy farming, further enhancing members’ livelihoods.
The Woman Rep thanked the national government for supporting Murang’a farmers through reforms and investments aimed at transforming the agricultural sector.
Farmers who attended the event welcomed the support but urged the government to ensure timely and equitable distribution of subsidized fertiliser to enhance coffee production.
One of the farmers, Mary Wanjiru, also appealed to the government to address the high cost of animal feeds, saying the rising prices are reducing profits for dairy farmers despite the improved milk prices.
The Kangunu cooperative has increasingly embraced diversification as part of efforts to cushion farmers against fluctuations in coffee earnings while creating additional and more stable sources of income for its members.
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