Tharaka nithi: Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS), Mutahi Kagwe, has urged dairy farmers in Tharaka Nithi to increase milk production as the government pledges support for establishing milk processing and value addition facilities in the region. Kagwe highlighted that the county currently produces approximately 57 million liters of milk annually, which falls short of sustaining a milk processing plant at full capacity.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kagwe emphasized that to boost milk production, farmers need to adopt high-yielding dairy breeds, improve animal feeding, and embrace modern breeding technologies. He stated, “The first thing is to increase milk production. Fifty-seven million liters is not enough to sustain a processing factory at full capacity.”
The CS revealed that the government has already intervened by providing sexed semen to help farmers progressively improve the quality of their dairy herds. He explained that while conventional semen previously cost around Sh7,000, sexed semen is priced at approximately Sh9,000, with government support making it more accessible to farmers. Kagwe encouraged farmers to utilize sexed semen more extensively to increase the number of productive dairy animals and enhance milk yields.
He also pointed out that improved breeds alone would not suffice unless the cost of animal feed is tackled. Kagwe noted, “The thing that drives the cost of milk production, and ultimately determines whether a dairy farmer or investor makes money, is the cost of animal feed.” The government is working to lower feed costs by making large government farms available for the production of yellow maize, suitable for livestock feed, and allowing duty-free importation of yellow maize to increase its availability.
Kagwe asserted that farmers practicing zero grazing could significantly improve milk production through proper breeding, feeding, and animal husbandry. He pledged government support to increase the number of productive dairy animals in the region, in partnership with the county government.
He emphasized the need for more agricultural extension and veterinary officers to work directly with farmers, offering advice on breeding, feeding, animal health, and dairy management. Kagwe stated, “All these interventions are intended to help us increase the quantity of milk available for processing here.”
The CS reassured that the government is prepared to support farmers but urged them to take necessary steps to improve production. “We must work together to increase milk production, reduce the cost of production, and ultimately establish the capacity for milk processing and value addition within this region,” he said.
The CS’s remarks come as dairy stakeholders in the region seek to revive milk processing and expand value addition opportunities for farmers. The Kenya Kwanza Government has notably reduced the cost of agricultural production, making farming more profitable.
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki mentioned that the eight coolers issued, six from the National Government and two from the County Government, will significantly reduce post-production losses and improve farmers’ incomes. He reiterated the county government’s commitment to lowering costs, increasing productivity, and empowering farmers in the dairy sector.
Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki expressed readiness among farmers to embrace value addition and called on the government to support the revival of milk factories. “We want our milk factories to come back. We are good producers of milk. Also, give us some value addition machines; we are ready for that step,” said Mbiuki.
The CS spoke during a dairy sector engagement attended by Chuka MP Patrick Munene, Kenya Dairy Board Chairman Genesio Mugo, Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute Managing Director Dr. Alex Sabuni, Kenya Veterinary Board Managing Director Dr. Mary Agutu, and representatives of the Livestock Value Chain Support Programme (LVCSP).
