Co-operatives Development Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui has challenged Baringo residents to venture into the lucrative dairy farming business.
Chelugui noted that the highland parts of the county from Eldama Ravine, Torongo, Tenges, Kabarnet up to Kabartonjo areas had a huge potential in milk production.
Speaking at AIC Kaptim where he presided over the official opening of the church sanctuary in Lembus Kwen ward Koibatek on Sunday, the CS urged the farmers from the area to move out of their comfort zones and invest more on quality breeds that could fetch them higher returns.
He said the region had the largest milk cooperative societies in the country including Kabimoi and Sabatia which used to receive over 11,000 litres per day but the capacity of the went down due to the mushrooming of other small entities from other regions.
“I am sure we can do very well especially in Koibatek because already the farmers were in the business for the longest time,” he said.
Chelugui who gave targets to dairy farmers in Sabatia, Torongo, Mumberes, Mwachon, Kiptoim and Mogotio said many investors were willing to support organized co-operatives only if they improved their milk production capacity to sustain such a venture.
He challenged Baringo county government to fast track the construction of a milk processing plant in Eldama Ravine which he said would go a long way in processing and packaging milk from the area and neighbouring regions.
Chelugui added that the factory, apart from embracing value addition, would also create more jobs to more than a thousand unemployed youth from the county.
The Cabinet Secretary accompanied by local MPs led by area legislator Musa Sirma stated that only three counties in the country are doing milk feeding programmes hence with such a facility they could develop a brand which could play a crucial role in feeding school children.
Area Senator William Cheptumo in his remarks urged residents to plan for their lives in advance by venturing into development programmes that could improve their livelihoods.
He assured residents that the county leadership is more united and willing to support them provided they showed seriousness and commitment in whatever socio-economic enterprises they were involved in.
By Benson Kelio and Joshua Kibet
