Nakuru County is set to revolutionize its dairy sector by facilitating the establishment of office spaces in various markets across the county. This initiative, spearheaded by the Nakuru County Dairy Cooperative Societies Union, aims to provide dairy farmers with direct access to potential customers, thereby enhancing market accessibility.
Dr. Samuel Mwaura, the Nakuru County Secretary, today convened a meeting with the Department of Agriculture to discuss priorities for the Farmer-Led Irrigation Development (FLID) and Market Access Infrastructure Development (MAID) investments. These initiatives, implemented under the National Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), will strengthen agricultural productivity and market infrastructure.
The MAID initiative, particularly focused on the dairy value chain, has selected cooperatives based on specific criteria such as the number of farmers, daily milk intake, and land ownership documentation. FLID investments, on the other hand, will prioritize water pans and small-scale irrigation schemes to maximize impact across Nakuru’s agricultural landscape.
The chairman of small-scale farmers in the county Bernard Mwenje said while these initiatives hold immense potential for boosting dairy farmers’ income and productivity, marketing remains a significant challenge.
Mwenje noted that Nakuru’s dairy sector faces stiff competition from other regions, and farmers often struggle to differentiate their products and reach a wider market. Adding that the establishment of office spaces in markets is a step in the right direction, but additional support in marketing and branding will be crucial to ensure long-term success.
Dr. Mwaura said local dairy farmers earned a total of Sh11.7 million from the sale of 300 million liters of milk in the last financial year. However, he urged the farmers to invest in high-quality dairy breeds, which are known for their milk production and disease resistance and to embrace artificial insemination (AI) services to improve genetic quality.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including CECM for Agriculture Leonard Bor, Chief Officers Newton Mwaura, Martin Kagai, and Kibet Kurgat, as well as NAVCDP Coordinator Peter Githunguri and other agricultural officers.
By Veronica Bosibori
