Government boosts dairy farmers’ market access with new initiatives

KENYA – The Kenyan Government in Nakuru County is enhancing market accessibility for dairy farmers by creating office spaces within local markets, a move led by the Nakuru County Dairy Cooperative Societies Union. 

This initiative aims to connect farmers directly with customers and reduce the barriers they face in marketing their products. 

According to Dr. Samuel Mwaura, Nakuru County Secretary, the county’s agricultural agenda also focuses on Farmer-Led Irrigation Development (FLID) and Market Access Infrastructure Development (MAID), under the National Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), to boost productivity and strengthen the infrastructure for market access.

The MAID initiative will specifically target the dairy sector, selecting cooperatives based on criteria like farmer population, milk intake, and land documentation. 

Meanwhile, FLID will prioritize water resources and small-scale irrigation, benefiting farmers throughout the county. 

Despite these measures, Bernard Mwenje, the chairman of Nakuru’s small-scale farmers, highlighted ongoing marketing challenges for dairy farmers, such as competition from other regions. 

He stressed the importance of additional support in branding to help farmers gain a foothold in larger markets.

Dr. Mwaura reported that Nakuru’s dairy farmers generated approximately Sh11.7 million from selling 300 million liters of milk in the previous fiscal year. 

To boost productivity further, he encouraged farmers to invest in high-quality breeds and adopt artificial insemination (AI) services to enhance genetic traits like disease resistance and milk output.

This meeting, attended by county officials, NAVCDP Coordinator Peter Githunguri, and other stakeholders, aligns with recent government moves to support dairy farmers financially. 

Meanwhile, the government has vowed to settle all debts owed by New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) to dairy farmers, with October 2024 payments distributed on the 1st, a first-time occurrence. 

Cooperatives and MSME Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya applauded this initiative, emphasizing that it empowers farmers and strengthens rural economies. 

Addressing a gathering at the New KCC Dandora plant, Oparanya highlighted the importance of reforms within New KCC aimed at enhancing the dairy value chain and boosting productivity, which are expected to better serve both local consumption and export markets.

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