KENYA- Kirinyaga County in Kenya has scaled up its subsidized feed production program making significant strides in enhancing milk production.
According to the county Governor Anne Waiguru announced that the initiative has already yielded positive results, increasing milk production from 2.5 liters per cow per day to 7.8 liters.
She revealed that the county aims to achieve a target of 12.5 liters per cow per day.
In addition, she noted that the county has invested in two manual and two semi-automatic duo processing lines increasing the factory’s capacity from 110 bags to 360 bags per day to meet the growing demand for subsidized feeds.
Governor Waiguru highlighted the success of the program, emphasizing that the county is now supplying affordable and quality animal feeds to more farmers.
“The number of farmers benefiting from the subsidized feeds has surged from 1,200 to 10,000. The subsidized feed, retailing at Sh2,300 per 70-kilogram bag, provides a cost-effective alternative compared to market prices ranging from Sh2,900 to Sh3,500.”
The distribution of feeds is facilitated through four dairy cooperatives: Rung’eto, Pondago, Kirima, and Rukingo.
Manufactured at the county-run Kiaga production factor, which produces feed for both poultry and cows, the subsidized feeds play a crucial role in the “Wezesha Kirinyaga” program.
This initiative aims to lower the cost of production for farmers, enabling them to earn more. Governor Waiguru emphasized the comprehensive approach, including providing Artificial Insemination (AI) services to over 150,000 households.
The governor expressed optimism that, with subsidized feeds and improved breeds, Kirinyaga farmers will achieve the ambitious target of 12.5 kilograms of milk per cow per day.
The “Wezesha Kirinyaga” program has already distributed 3,358 bags of dairy feeds, further supporting farmers in their endeavors.
To complement the efforts in promoting dairy farming, the county has equipped 60 farmers’ groups with on-farm feed formulation equipment.
Additionally, 27 farmers’ groups have received pulverizer machines, and 32 groups have been provided with grass cutters to facilitate fodder making.
Furthermore, cooperative support includes the provision of milk coolers, standby generators, and yogurt processing machines for value addition.
Cooperatives such as Kirima, Rukingo, Pondago, and Rung’eto have benefited from these initiatives, contributing to the overall growth and sustainability of the dairy sector in Kirinyaga County.
Subscribe to our food and agriculture industry email newsletters that provide busy executives like you with the latest news insights and trends from Africa and the World. SUBSCRIBE HERE