Dairy farmers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya, have received a significant boost with the expansion of milk cooling facilities to grassroots level. Governor Anne Waiguru's initiative aims to empower dairy farmers by providing them with modern milk coolers and back-up power generators. This move has enabled cooperatives and producer organizations to report higher milk volumes, reduced losses, and an increasing number of farmers joining the dairy sector. The county government's investment in these projects is part of its commitment to accelerating economic empowerment.
The impact of the initiative is already evident in various cooperatives. At New Ngariama Farmers' Cooperative Society, the number of farmers supplying milk has risen from about 400 to over 600, while daily milk collection has increased from 2,000 liters to more than 7,000 liters. This growth follows the installation of a modern 10,000-litre milk cooler and a 100 KVA generator by the county government. The cooperative Chairperson, Phineas Ngari, attributes the success to the new facilities, which have boosted production, farmer confidence, and protected milk from losses.
The expanded milk cooling facilities have also created employment opportunities in the region. The New Ngariama Farmers' Cooperative Society has increased its milk collectors from four to 10. The cooperative aims to target 1,500 farmers within the next two years, with continued technical assistance from the County Government's Department of Agriculture. The new facilities have improved the cooperative's financial position, with Ngari noting that purchasing similar equipment independently would have cost over Ksh16 million.
Individual farmers have also benefited from the improved storage facilities, which have created a reliable market for their milk. Dairy farmer Munene Shem reported that his daily production had risen from about five liters to over 40 liters. Another farmer, Anne Kabari, said the improved dairy market had changed her household income, enabling her to comfortably meet household expenses, including rent and school fees for her child at the university.
The initiative has also had a positive impact on other cooperatives in the region. At Kirinyaga Dairy Cooperative, Chairman Kennedy Ngigi said the intervention had transformed operations after the cooperative struggled with inadequate storage capacity. The cooperative previously relied on a 3,500-litre cooler, which was insufficient to serve its growing membership. With the new 9,000-liter cooler and solar system, the cooperative has increased its membership from about 1,000 farmers to nearly 2,000.
The expanded milk cooling facilities have reduced pressure on farmers, allowing milk to remain safely stored for three to five days before collection. Farmer Anthony Muriuki noted that the cooler had renewed farmers' confidence in dairy farming, with motivation to rear dairy cows and produce more milk. Another farmer, Anne Wairimu, said milk losses had significantly reduced since the installation of the cooler, recalling a time when over 1,000 liters were lost due to inadequate storage.
So far, 29 milk coolers have been distributed to various cooperatives and groups, both by the county government and through collaboration with the national government, increasing milk cooling capacity to over 70,000 liters. Governor Waiguru's initiative is part of the county government's commitment to accelerating economic empowerment by investing in projects directly identified and prioritized by residents through public participation.
Key points
- Governor Anne Waiguru's initiative expands milk cooling facilities to smaller producer organizations in Kirinyaga County, Kenya.
- The initiative has increased milk production, reduced losses, and created employment opportunities in the region.
- 29 milk coolers have been distributed, increasing milk cooling capacity to over 70,000 liters.
