Brookside Dairy boosts farmers’ earnings to US$7.1M in 2024

KENYA – Dairy farmers in Kenya’s North Rift region, contracted by Brookside Dairy, have earned a total of KSh 918 million (US$7.1 million) from the sale of raw milk, marking a 27% increase in earnings compared to 2022. 

The increase in income is attributed to the adoption of improved agronomic practices following aggressive farmer empowerment programs initiated by Brookside. 

The processor’s expanded processing capacity and extensive sales network allowed them to procure 100% of the contracted milk volumes from farmers, even during peak production seasons.

Farmers in Uasin Gishu County received the highest payout, totaling KSh 236 million, while farmers in West Pokot earned KSh 211 million. 

Speaking at the University of Eldoret Agribusiness Trade Fair, Brookside’s milk procurement general manager, Emmanuel Kabaki, highlighted the processor’s commitment to ensuring that dairy farming remains a stable source of income for rural communities.

 “We appreciate the hard work of our farmers this year, which resulted in the consistent production and supply of raw milk,” Kabaki said.

He emphasized Brookside’s confidence in the ability of Kenyan dairy farmers to meet both domestic and export market demands.

Kabaki also urged farmers to prepare for the upcoming dry season, anticipated from October 2024 to early 2025, by conserving adequate animal feed to ensure continued milk production. 

“The preparation and conservation of fodder are critical to maintaining optimum milk production throughout the year,” he stated. 

Brookside has established fodder resource centers across Kenya to help farmers access Super Napier grass, a high-yielding fodder crop. 

Additionally, the company is working closely with farmers to improve dairy cow genetics, distributing semen straws and liquid nitrogen to farmer groups and medium-sized farms to support artificial insemination programs.

In Uganda, Brookside Limited has received a boost in its marketing efforts following recognition from the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). 

The UNBS granted Brookside’s laboratory a certificate of recognition for technical competence and effective management of quality tests for milk and milk products. 

This certification, which aligns with global standards, reaffirms Brookside’s commitment to delivering high-quality dairy products across the region.

Brookside Limited’s General Manager, Benson Mwangi, expressed pride in achieving the ISO 17025 standard for laboratory management, stating that the certification not only highlights the company’s dedication to quality but also solidifies its position as a leader in the regional dairy industry.

“This certification is a significant milestone for Brookside and demonstrates our unwavering commitment to producing high-quality dairy products that meet international standards,” Mwangi said.

With over 160,000 farmers in Kenya’s North Rift region supplying milk to Brookside, the dairy processor continues to support the livelihoods of rural farmers while contributing to the growth of the dairy industry in both Kenya and Uganda.

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