Sh350m milk processing plant to benefit farmers

Construction of a Sh350 million milk processing plant in the county has begun.

Upon completion, the plant will have the capacity to handle 100,000 litres of milk per day.

Deputy President William Ruto officiated the ground breaking ceremony of Nandi Cooperative Creameries at Kabiyet in Mosop Constituency on Friday last week.

The milk processor is expected to become operational in three years’ time. Fifty per cent of the project is financed through a grant from the World Bank.

“This county has great dairy potential and the plant will revolutionise milk production in the region,” said Dr Ruto.

The county government intends to eventually transfer ownership of the plant to dairy farmers to boost their income.

Some 30 primary dairy cooperative societies in the county have agreed to merge and be eventual owners of the plant.

“This is part of the Nandi County Government’s plan to support local farmers set up their own modern industries,” said Agriculture Executive Kiplimo arap Lagat.

A pet project of Governor Stephen Sang, the completion of the plant construction and equipping will effectively yield to packaged brand ‘Nandi Milk’, which the county intends to market in the Lake Regional Economic Bloc.

“The LREB region has 14 million people. We intend to sale our milk to the region and further encourage local consumption of our own milk,” said Sang.

As part of preparations for milk production, Nandi administration is now providing subsidised Artificial Insemination services to dairy farmers to improve dairy breeds.