Nairobi: Farmers in Nyandarua County Wednesday received nine milk coolers as part of the government's intensified efforts to reduce milk wastage and improve earnings through quality preservation and access to better markets. Speaking during the issuance event, Principal Secretary for the State Department for Livestock Development, Mr. Jonathan Mueke, highlighted the significance of these coolers, which have a combined storage capacity of 32,000 litres, in enhancing the efficiency of the dairy value chain by ensuring milk is properly stored before transportation.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mr. Mueke emphasized that the intervention is part of the government's broader agenda to empower dairy farmers and strengthen cooperative societies nationwide. He pointed out the collaborative efforts with counties to ensure that milk produced by farmers is not wasted, enabling farmers to collectively sell their milk, negotiate better prices, and access external markets.
The Principal Secretary further encouraged farmers to adopt best livestock management and breeding practices. He emphasized the government's initiatives to explore opportunities for exporting dairy products to regional and international markets. Mr. Mueke also noted that this initiative aligns with the national government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which identifies the agricultural sector as a crucial driver of economic growth and rural empowerment.
In addition to the milk coolers, the event saw the issuance of 3000 chicks to several farmer groups in the county, further supporting the government's commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity and farmer livelihoods.