Dairy producers innovations to reduce milk glut

BY NJIRAINI MUCHIRA
Stakeholders in the dairy sector are implementing measures that would guarantee stability of milk prices.

Kipkurui arap Lang’at, chairman Kenya Dairy Processors Association, (KDPA) said the measures that largely borders on management of excess milk and ensure good supply of animal folders guarantees steady supply of raw milk.

Helping the farmers conserve animal feed, he said, would ensure stable milk production even during periods of dry spell.

The association is also working with industry regulator, the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB), to deal with rising threat of informal milk markets that account for 60 per cent of milk consumed.

“The price of milk is driven by supply and demand. If we can have even supply, there will be no price fluctuation,” explained Lang’at, who is also New KCC chief executive.

Since January, Kenyans have witnessed instabilities in milk prices fuelled by a dry spell early in the year. The market disorder led to drastic fall in production, forcing processors to increase retail prices.

More production
The situation has, however, since stabilised, following sufficient long rains that resulted in increased production and thus decline in prices to about Sh70 per litre.

Speaking at the Standard Group offices during a ceremony to sign an agreement on a campaign by KDPA to promote milk consumption dubbed, ‘Stay Young, Do Milk’, Lang’at said conserving of fodder is critical in ensuring there is no milk supply disruptions during dry seasons.

Currently, farmers, particularly in the North Rift are facing the challenge of sub-dividing their farms to plant animal feeds and cereals, a situation that has always led to animal feed shortages during dry spells.

“The challenge of shortage might not end if we continue to rely on rain fed production,” said Lang’at.
Present during the ceremony was Standard Group Chief Operating Officer, Sarvjeet Channa, who urged milk processors and the Government to invest in storage facilities and infrastructure, notably roads for farmers deliver their milk stocks in time.

Channa said lack of proper roads in milk producing areas has reduced the quantity of milk that gets to processors.

“Small holder farmers produce 80 per cent of milk, but they face challenges on the value chain. We challenge the Government and processors to sort out the value chain inefficiencies to benefit consumers,” he said.

Support economy
He said the dairy sector is critical in the economy, as it accounts for 4.5 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product.

The campaign, which will run for three years, is intended to promote milk consumption with the target of doubling consumption from one million to over two million litres.

Also present during the ceremony was Brookside Dairy Marketing Manager Peter Wasonga and Standard Group Assistant Director Commercial, Lawrence Njiru.