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Nyamira to get Sh12m cooler

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Published on Monday, 27 June 2011 21:18

The government will spend Sh12 million for the construction of an ultra modern milk cooler in Nyamira County to save small scale dairy farmers from incurring losses.

Animal Production director Julius Kiptarus who laid the foundation stone for Borabu Milk Cooling Plant in Kineni area of North Mugirango/Borabu constituency said the cooler will minimise milk wastage before it reaches the market.

Kiptarus said the government is supporting small dairy commercialisation programmes in rural areas so as to create job opportunities and produce enough milk for the country and export.

He said already, the country produces 4billion litres of milk annually some of which is exported to as far as Saudi Arabia and exuded confidence that more will be exported. The projects are partly funded by the IFAD to the tune of Sh1.4 billion in nine districts in Kenya. This financial year, Kiptarus  said Sh350 million had been set aside for various projects in the districts.

Kiptarus said the government is addressing the high costs of cattle feeds and encouraged farmers to embrace modern technologies. He said the dairy sector employs 350,000 Kenyans annually saying the number is expected to rise in the near future.

The director also issued dairy goats and AI kits to farmers at Itibo location. He also gave an AI kit to the Borabu farmers. He said dairy goat farming will empower farmers with limited plots so that they gain from the venture.

Currently, Kiptarus said a litre of goat milk sells at Sh 140 in Nairobi and the demand is still high, adding that farmers will eventually go a step further and add value to the produce by making cheese and  yoghurt.