Milk production in Vihiga Sub County is set to improve after the county government through the department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives distributed 47 dairy cows worth Sh3, 760,000 to farmers.
Area Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo presided over a colourful handing over ceremony at Mbaya village in Lugaga-Wamuluma ward on Thursday.
Addressing elated groups of dairy farmers, Governor Ottichilo urged them to put a lot of efforts toward boosting milk production to enable the county not only have sufficient milk, but more importantly attract both local and international investors.
The County boss revealed there are ongoing plans to have the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to establish a mega milk processing plant in the county.
“This will only happen when our dairy farmers will hit the set target of 5,000 litres of milk in a day,” Ottichilo said adding the development agency had already donated startup capital toward the proposed milk processing plant.
Speaking at the same event, Chief Officer (CO) for Agriculture Mrs. Pamela Mahilu appealed to beneficiaries of the dairy cows to work hard to enable the sector surpass the current 29 million litres of milk produced annually.
“The County target is to have sustained at 65 million litres of milk produced annually,” stated Mahilu.
Her Cooperatives counterpart Mr. Agava Makhumbiri challenged farmers to form Cooperative societies to pool their resources together.
The area Member of County Assembly Mr. Victor Ijaika hailed the county government, saying the dairy farming initiative would improve sources of livelihood as well as living standards in the County.
Speaking to Kenya News Agency (KNA), Mr. Adman Mbarika, one of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude toward the devolved unit.
“The dairy farming project is set to create employment opportunities for our local youths,” said Mbarika who urged the government to continue investing heavily in agricultural activities.
“The agriculture sector has the potential to spur economic growth and development in our County,” added Mbarika.
by Arline Amoni / Beatrice Vikeh.
