Kenya targets increased value addition in dairy sector

KENYA– Kenya is aiming to increase the proportion of value-added milk from the current 40% to 60%, according to Jonathan Mueke, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

This objective was emphasized at the Dairy Tech Africa conference, which took place Nairobi Kenya in July 2024.

The three-day event features over 100 exhibitors and 500 delegates, including UN officials, senior government representatives from Africa, and dairy industry experts, focused on advancements in the dairy sector.

Ps Mueke highlighted that in 2023, Kenya produced approximately 5.2 billion liters of milk, with only 40% undergoing value addition.

Mueke emphasized the importance of increasing access to machinery to process 60% of the milk, thereby expanding the sector. Value addition, which involves producing products such as butter and yogurt, is expected to reduce post-harvest losses.

“We want to increase access to machinery so that at least 60 percent of the milk is processed so that the sector can expand,” Mueke said.

Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows that the dairy sector supports around 1.8 million smallholder farmers and contributes about 4.5% to the economy.

 Mueke noted that enhancing value addition in the dairy sector will help reduce post-harvest losses and increase the sector’s contribution to the economy.

Tipo Tito Nyabenyi, acting representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Kenya, highlighted that the conference serves as a platform for Africa’s dairy sector to engage with the latest technology.

Nyabenyi urged African nations to utilize their vast land and livestock resources to reduce dairy product imports.

Margaret Kibogy, CEO of the Kenya Dairy Board, reported an increase in milk compliance from 80% in 2017 to 96% by 2022.

Despite this progress, she acknowledged the need for improvements in hygiene, milk handling, antibiotics, and aflatoxins to achieve 100% compliance and safety of milk and milk products.

To support these efforts, the Kenyan government plans to invest Sh4 billion over the next five years to finance interventions in feeding, breeding, disease control, and farmer extension services.

Kibogy stated that this investment aims to increase productivity per cow from five to ten liters per day, further boosting the sector’s output and efficiency.

“We will be spending Sh4 billion in the next five years to finance interventions enhancing feeding, breeding, disease control, and farmer extension services,” she said.