The national government will by the end of this year deliver 20 milk coolers to support of dairy farming in Murang’a county.
The coolers will be distributed to dairy cooperatives which already are under a subsidy programme that was established by the county government beginning of this year.
President Dr. William Ruto on Friday said the national government is in the process of procuring and distributing more than 600 milk coolers to various counties in support of dairy farming.
Ruto assured Governor Irungu Kang’ata that his administration will commit more resources and equipment to benefit dairy farmers in the county who for a long time have been exploited by brokers.
He noted that the coolers will support milk preservation and promote value addition saying the move will help increase earnings to farmers.
In the beginning of the year, the Murang’a government established a subsidy programme for both mango and dairy farmers.
The programme was aimed at cushioning farmers from often fluctuation of prices by ensuring they have minimum guaranteed returns.
Under the programme more than 19, 000 dairy farmers who are affiliated to various cooperative societies receive Sh. 3.50 per litre of milk on top of the amount paid by the processor.
Already 13 cooperative societies have been registered with the county government with the devolved unit allocating Sh. 250 million in the current financial budget to cater for the subsidies.
Ruto who also launched various projects initiated by the county government lauded the subsidy programme saying it will augment farmers’ earnings.
“The coolers will be delivered before the end of this year and they will go a long way to support the sector and ensure farmers get more earnings from their produce,” he said at Kangari market.
The government, Ruto said will zero rate all raw materials used in making animal feeds saying this will help lower the cost of milk production.
The Head of State further said the national government will also support Murang’a County administration in establishing a Sh. 500 million industrial and an aggregation park at Makenji area.
The park, he noted, will promote processing of farm produce thus creating employment to thousands of young people.
The national government will give Sh. 250 million while the county government top up the rest towards actualization of the industrial park.
“Together with the county government we will put up an industrial park on land the county got from Delmonte company. The park will help in doing value addition of the farm produce and help provide our young people with job opportunities,” added President Ruto.
During the tour in the county, the Head of State launched a feeding programme where the county administration provides porridge to ECDE children.
The Uji programme benefits 42,000 ECDE pupils across the county with Governor Irungu Kang’ata saying the move was meant to encourage and increase enrolment of children as well as provide a conducive learning environment for pupils.
The President also launched a smart cities programme where the county administration is improving infrastructure in major local towns with the aim of providing a conducive environment for doing business.
By Bernard Munyao
