Nyeri: Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has handed over 12 bulk milk coolers to Nyeri dairy farmers to save the farmers from post-harvest losses resulting from poor milk processing and storage facilities. The coolers will benefit some 3,600 farmers in Kieni and Mathira constituencies, facilitating the processing of an additional 30,000 liters of milk daily valued at Sh1.35 million.
According to Kenya News Agency, this initiative is expected to increase the annual milk processing capacity to 10.95 million liters annually, earning farmers an extra Sh492.8 million. The coolers are solar-powered, promising to save farmers Sh3.3 million in energy costs. Kagwe emphasized that the coolers would lead to the establishment of new aggregation hubs, stimulating the local economy, creating new businesses, and providing job opportunities.
During the cooler handover at Mwicwiri center in Kieni, Kagwe stated, “As the CS in charge of Agriculture and Livestock Development, my main responsibility is to ensure that money goes to the pocket of the farmers. I have come here today to ensure that you have coolers that will help you preserve the milk that was going to waste due to lack of storage facilities is. In my estimation, the amount of money lost by the farmers as a result was running into hundreds of thousands of shillings and therefore these coolers are going to remedy that and ensure you maximize profits from dairy farming.”
Kagwe also announced the distribution of subsidized farm inputs like fertilizer and seedlings through the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management Information System (KIAMIS). He reported that 3,500 bags of subsidized fertilizer have been delivered for Kieni farmers for the short rain season. “A total of 835 farmers have already collected their bags of CAN top dressing fertilizer. I urge all farmers who are not yet registered under the government subsidy program to enroll as soon as possible. Once registered, you will receive a mobile phone notification when input distribution begins. Registration is essential, as it enables the ministry to accurately assess the actual demand for agricultural inputs,” he said.
Kagwe was accompanied by Nyeri elected leaders, including Njoroge Wainaina (Kieni), Eric Wamumbi (Mathira), Wambugu Wainaina (Othaya), and Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga.
