Government links higher dairy output with processing expansion
The Kenyan government has urged dairy farmers in Tharaka Nithi County to increase milk production as authorities work toward expanding milk processing and value addition opportunities in the region.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the county currently produces approximately 57 million litres of milk annually, a volume he described as insufficient to sustain a milk processing plant at full capacity. He called for coordinated efforts among farmers, county authorities and the national government to increase production while lowering the cost of dairy farming.
“The first thing is to increase milk production. Fifty-seven million liters is not enough to sustain a processing factory at full capacity,” Kagwe said.
Breed improvement and sexed semen to raise productivity
Kagwe identified improved genetics as one of the key measures for increasing milk output. He encouraged farmers to adopt high-yielding dairy breeds and make greater use of modern breeding technologies.
The government has already introduced support for sexed semen, which can help farmers progressively improve the quality and productivity of their dairy herds.
According to Kagwe, conventional semen previously cost around Sh7,000, while sexed semen costs approximately Sh9,000. Government intervention is intended to make the technology more accessible to farmers.
However, Kagwe stressed that better genetics alone would not deliver the desired results unless farmers also address feeding and animal management.
Feed costs remain a major challenge
The Cabinet Secretary identified animal feed as one of the most important factors determining dairy farm profitability.
“The thing that drives the cost of milk production, and ultimately determines whether a dairy farmer or investor makes money, is the cost of animal feed.”
To reduce feed costs, the government is making large public farms available for the production of yellow maize, an important livestock-feed ingredient. Authorities have also provided for duty-free imports of yellow maize to improve availability.
Kagwe said farmers practising zero-grazing could significantly increase milk production through better feeding, breeding and animal husbandry practices.
Key dairy indicators in Tharaka Nithi
| Indicator | Current position / initiative |
|---|---|
| Annual milk production | About 57 million litres |
| Main production challenge | Insufficient volume for full-scale processing |
| Breeding technology | Government-supported sexed semen |
| Conventional semen cost | About Sh7,000 |
| Sexed semen cost | About Sh9,000 |
| Milk cooling infrastructure | Eight coolers provided |
| Priority areas | Breeding, feeding, veterinary care and value addition |
More extension and veterinary support planned
Kagwe also highlighted the need for stronger agricultural extension and veterinary services. More extension and veterinary officers are expected to work directly with farmers, providing guidance on breeding, feeding, animal health and dairy management.
The government intends to work with the Tharaka Nithi County Government to increase the number of productive dairy animals in the region.
These measures are aimed at creating a larger and more reliable supply of milk for processors, helping establish the foundation required for expanded local processing and value-added dairy production.
Cooling facilities could reduce post-production losses
Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki said the county had received eight milk coolers, with six supplied by the national government and two by the county government.
The infrastructure is expected to reduce post-production losses and improve farmers’ incomes by supporting better milk handling and preservation after collection.
The county government, Njuki said, remains committed to reducing production costs, improving productivity and strengthening the dairy sector.
Farmers call for revival of milk factories
Local leaders and farmers are also pushing for renewed investment in dairy processing.
Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki said farmers were prepared to embrace value addition and called on the government to support the revival of milk factories in the region.
“We want our milk factories to come back. We are good producers of milk. Also, give us some value addition machines; we are ready for that step,” he said.
The push for processing reflects a broader effort to retain more value within the local dairy supply chain rather than relying primarily on the sale of raw milk.
Government targets a stronger dairy value chain
Kagwe said the government’s approach is centred on increasing milk production, reducing production costs and developing processing capacity within the region.
The strategy combines genetic improvement, lower feed costs, better animal husbandry, veterinary and extension services, improved cooling infrastructure and investment in value addition.
For Tharaka Nithi’s dairy sector, the challenge now is to translate these interventions into sustained growth in milk volumes and farmer productivity. If production increases sufficiently, the region could create stronger foundations for local processing, new dairy businesses and improved income opportunities for farmers.
The government’s engagement signals a shift toward building a more integrated dairy value chain in which farmers can benefit not only from increased milk production but also from processing and value addition closer to the farm.
