Garissa county government is seeking partnership with the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) in unlocking the Sh1 billion potential in the local dairy sub sector by addressing challenges that have affected production of quality camel milk.
According to the livestock director Haret Hambe the main challenges facing the largely informal sector was the fluctuation in productivity, low domestic consumption of milk, lack of equipment and training for producers and vendors.
Dr Hambe was speaking at a Garissa hotel where he opened a one day dairy sensitisation workshop hosted by the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) in partnership with USAID.
The workshop is being funded by the Livestock Marketing System (LMS) programme and the County Government.
“Contamination during milking and sanitation of the milk containers is another big issue affecting the hygiene and longevity of our milk,” Hambe said.
On her part Joyce Nyamwathi from KDB said her organization was partnering with the county and KEBS to ensure hygiene and safety standards in camel milk processing were raised.
“The growing urban population is demanding more milk and becoming health-conscious preferring to buy from clean outlets hence farmers and vendors needed to embrace hygiene,” Nyamwathi said.
John Kutwa, the LMS County Manager said his organisation was keen on strengthening the economic systems for camel milk farmers in the county.
“We shall endeavor to ensure that camel milk farmers in the county produce the best hygienic products with less wastage and a product that could be sold countrywide and even for export,” Kutwa said.
By Jacob Songok
