Starting August 1, dairy farmers supplying the Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union will receive Sh52 per litre of milk, up from Sh50, following government reforms designed to enhance profitability in the dairy sector.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, representing President William Ruto at the 11th Annual Meru Dairy Farmers Field Day in Gitoro, Imenti North, highlighted key government measures including subsidised animal feed, reduced prices for sexed semen, and the addition of milk cooling facilities to improve production and minimize post-harvest losses.
Kindiki noted that the cost of sexed semen has decreased significantly from Sh7,000 to Sh1,400 per dose due to government subsidies. Additionally, 15 milk cooling units have been provided, and the newly commissioned Meru Maziwa animal feed mill is expected to lower feed expenses, which are among the highest costs for dairy farmers.
Farmers in Meru have reported positive impacts from these interventions. Nelly Gacheri said dairy farming now supports her family's education and other expenses. James Kimathi expressed optimism that improved milk prices will motivate farmers to increase their herds. Benson Mureithi shared how better returns have enabled him to educate his children and access loans more easily. Samson Mbabu emphasized that reduced feed prices could attract more youth to agriculture.
The Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union, one of Kenya's largest, comprises over 160,000 farmers producing approximately 670,000 litres of milk daily. The government's broader strategy aims to raise national milk production from 5.5 billion litres to 10 billion litres annually while ensuring farmers benefit from lower production costs, enhanced storage, and expanded market access.
