Dairy stakeholders agree to upscale sector by reaching out to smallholder farmers

ELDORET, KENYA: The Livestock Development department, Kenya Dairy Board (KDB), Kenya Dairy Processors Association (KDPA), USAID and farmers associations have embarked on a massive campaign to upscale the dairy sector in the grassroots.

KDPA, USAID, KDB and farmers' representatives have launched a campaign dubbed 'maziwa ni donge nono' pegged on highlighting numerous benefits of dairy production majorly aimed at small scale milk producers across 22 counties.

Joyce Mutua , Technical Director , Kenya Agricultural Value Chain Enterprises (KAVEs) project for Dairy at USAID is optimistic the mission that begun in 2013 and runs to 2018 will transform the dairy sector and empower more citizens to venture in the unexploited segment.

"We are working with local agencies to build capacity among small holder farmers who their potential to produce more milk will only be fully harnessed when they understand sustaining production even in dry seasons," said Mutua.

She said milk production has been depreciating during dry seasons due to lack of feeds and to counter that they are empowering smallholder farmers on animal feed conservation.

Mutua added that they are working in collaboration with county governments to establish fodder collection centres in sub-counties.