Narok: The government is pushing for higher standards, stronger market intelligence, and strategic investment partnerships to boost Kenya’s competitiveness in the global meat and milk export market. Plans are underway to establish a livestock processing zone in Narok to meet regional demand for meat and milk. Principal Secretary for the State Department for Agriculture, Dr. Paul Ronoh, pledged that the government will continue to strengthen Kenya’s livestock sector by investing in projects that help farmers reduce post-harvest losses and increase their incomes.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Ronoh noted that a nationwide digital livestock tracking system, expanded vaccination programs, and reforms in meat production systems are central to a new strategy aimed at growing Kenya’s livestock industry into a Sh1 trillion economic powerhouse within the next two years. The Principal Secretary affirmed that the government is supporting initiatives to transform the country’s milk and meat value chain from livestock production to export by strengthening animal health systems, introducing mandatory traceability, improving food safety, increasing value addition, and attracting private investments into the sub-sector.
Speaking at the Agricultural, Environment, and Climate Change exhibition at the William Ole Ntimama Stadium in Narok, Dr. Ronoh emphasized the necessity of traceability for competing in the global meat market. For years, Kenya’s livestock sector has struggled to meet the demands of the premium export market, which requires proof of animal origin, health history, production systems, and compliance with food safety standards. Dr. Ronoh, representing Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mr. Mutahi Kagwe at the event, pledged the government’s commitment to building a stronger and more profitable dairy sector for Kenyan farmers.
Dr. Ronoh highlighted that the dairy value chain is a vital economic pillar, supporting millions of livelihoods from farmers and transporters to processors, retailers, and consumers. The government’s efforts to revitalize the dairy sector aim to boost value addition and create sustainable jobs. The Principal Secretary stated, “The government is actively strengthening the dairy value chain to boost productivity, minimize post-harvest losses, and increase farmers’ incomes.” Initiatives include nationwide milk cooler distributions, tax exemptions on animal feed, and a transition to quality-based milk payment systems to reward farmers.
The interventions are part of the government’s commitment to reducing poverty and creating jobs by strengthening the dairy value chain. Official statistics indicate that nationally, livestock contributes 50 percent of Agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and over 10 percent of the National GDP. The dairy production is the largest contributor to the livestock GDP, with the sub-sector yielding about Sh237 billion annually. Kenya is one of the leading countries in Africa for dairy cattle production.
Dr. Ronoh stated that the industry is on an upward trajectory with an estimated growth rate of 3 percent to 4 percent per year. The Kenya Kwanza administration recognizes the dairy value chain as one of the main sources of household incomes and a crucial contributor to food security. Vision 2030, which has been adopted as a new model for Kenya’s development, emphasizes the enhancement of dairy productivity as key to increasing incomes, food security, and nutrition.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development’s Dairy Master Plan 2010-2030, along with the Kenya Dairy Industry Transformation Strategy and Investment Plan 2022-2032, currently guides the Dairy Industry. Dr. Ronoh mentioned that the government is striving to make the dairy subsector a leading player in social-economic development through production, value addition, and marketing. This is being done by mobilizing and working with all stakeholders and development partners to maximize opportunities and resources for the country’s benefit.
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with the world human population expected to increase to 10.5 billion from 7.6 billion by 2067, a global increase in demand for dairy products is anticipated. This, Dr. Ronoh noted, should present an opportunity for more milk production, especially in regions not currently the main milk producers in the country. According to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) data, Kenya had 22.4 million cattle, 26.2 million sheep, and 38.4 million goats in 2024.
Dr. Ronoh emphasized the importance of value addition in minimizing post-harvest losses, improving milk quality, creating employment opportunities, and increasing returns for farmers. “Strengthened collection centres are expected to improve efficiency in milk handling, provide farmers with dependable market channels, and support the continued growth of the dairy sector, one of Kenya’s leading economic pillars,” he pointed out. Dr. Ronoh advised wheat farmers to deliver their surplus harvests to the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) depots to resolve market glut and stand-off with millers.
Governor Patrick Keturet Ole Ntutu indicated that to strengthen resilience against climate change, the County Government of Narok, in partnership with the National Government and the World Bank, has been implementing the National Agricultural Value Chain through the Department of Agriculture, and the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme through the Department of Environment, Water, Energy, Natural Resources, and Climate Change.
“Narok County is among the thirty-three counties implementing the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP). Now in its fourth year of implementation, the project is already demonstrating remarkable progress in increasing market participation, promoting value addition, and improving the livelihoods of our smallholder farmers and pastoralists,” noted Mr. Ole Ntutu. The FLLoCA Programme has played a pivotal role in strengthening local resilience to climate change through county-led planning, community participation, and targeted investments addressing the priorities identified by the locals.
