Kenya boosts dairy industry with arrival of Brazilian Girolando embryos

KENYA – Kenya’s milk and beef production is expected to see a major boost following the arrival of over 350 embryos of the Brazilian Girolando cow breed. 

The initiative is led by Makongi Agri Limited through its sister company, Indicus East Africa Ltd, based at Makongi Farm in Eldoret.

The embryos, imported from Brazil, were received on Thursday in a ceremony attended by key figures, including Brazil’s Ambassador to Kenya, Silvio Albuquerque, and the company’s CEO, Tim Chesire.

The Girolando breed, a cross between India’s heat-tolerant Gyr cattle and the high-yielding Holstein cows, is renowned for its resilience and efficiency in milk production.

According to experts, the breed can produce an average of 3,600 kilograms of milk per lactation over 305 days, based on two daily milkings.

Makongi Agri Limited plans to use In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and embryo transfer technology to fertilise these embryos, a process supported by an IVF lab established in 2015 with assistance from Brazil.

Tim Chesire, speaking at the Brazilian Embassy in Gigiri, Nairobi, hailed the arrival as a turning point for Kenya’s dairy sector.

“Today we mark a historic moment in Kenya’s dairy sector and celebrate the enduring partnership between Kenya and Brazil,” he said.

“This occasion is not just about the arrival of over 350 Girolando embryos, it is about a shift in mindset, a revolution in African dairy farming.”

Chesire emphasized that the breed’s adaptability to tropical climates and high feed conversion rate could see milk yields rise to 35 litres per day, far surpassing the current Kenyan average of 16 to 17 litres.

The initiative, a result of plans dating back to 2015, aims to address challenges posed by European breeds that struggle with Kenya’s heat and disease conditions.

A report by the company highlights that Brazil transformed its dairy industry by adopting the Girolando breed, which now accounts for 90 percent of its milk production.

Chesire noted that Kenya, despite being a pioneer in commercial artificial insemination, has lagged due to reliance on unsuitable genetics.

“We need to work with our environment, with genetics that are suited to us,” he added.

Ambassador Silvio Albuquerque described the importation as a symbol of strong bilateral ties.

“More than a business transaction, this initiative represents a meaningful exchange of knowledge, technology, and shared aspirations for a thriving agricultural sector,” he said.

He pointed out that the Girolando embryos would enhance productivity and food security in Kenya, building on decades of trade between the two nations.

Dr. David Ojigo from the Directorate of Veterinary Services confirmed that the importation met strict health and quality standards, ensuring the safety and potential of the genetic material.

The project, supported by the Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre, is set to expand, with plans for nearly 1,600 more embryos in collaboration with the government.