Kenyan government unveils strategies to double milk production

KENYA – The Kenyan government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, has introduced a series of measures to increase the country’s milk production from 5.2 billion liters to 10 billion liters annually.

This initiative aims to improve small-scale farmers’ average monthly incomes to Sh56,000.

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr. Andrew Karanja emphasized that achieving these goals requires a united effort from all stakeholders, including farmers, cooperatives, processors, and government agencies.

During the launch of the 2024 Cost of Milk Production Study Report at the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) headquarters, Dr. Karanja outlined key strategies that will address the challenges of productivity, value addition, and market access for milk and dairy products.

“The discussions between milk processors and President William Ruto have outlined a six-point agenda focused on enhancing milk productivity, reducing production costs, and improving raw milk bulking and cooling efficiency,” he said.

“We are also tackling tax barriers, establishing a development fund, and implementing new regulations to foster the sector’s growth.”

A major step toward improving milk quality and safety is the establishment of the national dairy regulatory laboratory, which is now ISO 17025 certified.

The facility is expected to enhance the testing of milk and dairy products for both domestic and export markets.

Dr. Karanja noted that the government is also procuring additional milk coolers to support farmers in bulking milk and ensuring its quality.

According to him, the government is working to improve access to affordable commercial concentrates, quality fodder, and superior genetics, with plans to support farmers through stronger contract farming arrangements further.

Kenya’s dairy industry remains vital to the economy, producing 5.2 billion liters of milk annually, representing 10% of Africa’s total and 35% of the East African Community’s output.

In 2023, milk received by the formal market increased by 7.4%, reaching 811 million kilograms, with its value rising by 13%, totaling Sh40.5 billion.

According to the Economic Survey 2024, milk is Kenya’s fourth most valuable agricultural commodity, supporting the livelihoods of over two million small-scale rural dairy farmers.

Dr. Karanja highlighted that dairy farming is still profitable, with earnings ranging between Sh9.8 to Sh13.9 per liter, despite challenges such as high costs for commercial feeds, fodder, and labor.

“There’s still room for growth, especially in terms of improving feeding strategies to boost productivity,” Dr. Karanja said, noting that milk productivity per cow has increased from 7.9 liters in 2020 to 9.3 liters in 2023.

KDB Managing Director Margaret Kibogy revealed that the number of cooperatives has increased from 600 to around 700, enhancing the organization and quality of milk production.

She also mentioned that 85% of the one billion liters of milk processed annually goes into liquid products such as Ultra-High-Temperature (UHT) and pasteurized milk, though the production of high-value products like cheese, butter, and ghee is still limited.

To address the challenge of overproduction, Kibogy assured that the country has sufficient processing capacity, which has increased from 3.5 million liters daily to 5.2 million liters.

She also highlighted ongoing efforts to reduce the cost of animal feeds, such as lowering the price of silage, which will increase the competitiveness of the dairy sector.

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