- President William Ruto will launch the Ksh200 million Mitunguu Animal Feed Production Factory during the 11th Meru Dairy Farmers Field Day in Meru on Saturday, with the project expected to lower livestock feed costs for farmers.
- Meru Dairy says daily milk intake has risen to about 670,000 litres and is projected to reach one million litres by the end of the year, supported by investments in production and market expansion.
- The cooperative will also showcase calves bred through subsidised sexed semen and outline plans for quality based milk pricing and increased exports to regional markets.
The dairy sector countrywide, and Meru in particular, is bracing itself for a momentous occasion with President William Ruto set to preside over the 11th Meru Dairy Farmers Field Day anniversary at Gitoro showground in Meru town this Saturday.
Meru Dairy Cooperative Union Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kenneth Gitonga said President Ruto will officially launch the Mitunguu Animal Feed Production factory, constructed at a cost of about Ksh200 million.
Speaking at Gitoro showground in Meru town, North Imenti constituency in Meru County, Gitonga appealed to all dairy industry stakeholders to ensure they register and attend the event, owing to its educational and economic benefits.
“We have invited both the national and county governments to the event in order to enable us to resolve some of the challenges farmers face every year. The event started in 2013, with the main aim being to improve the quality and quantity of the milk produced. Ruto will officially launch the Mitunguu Animal Feed Production factory, constructed at a cost of about KsYOU MIGHT h200 million. President Ruto donated Ksh100 million, making it half of the total amount,” said the CEO.
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He said during the forum, they educate and consult with each other about the challenges they encounter.
Gitonga said so far 4,500 farmers have confirmed they will attend the forum, and urged the dairy fraternity to register and attend the event.
He insisted that mechanisms have been put in place to source raw materials for the animal feed plant at Mitunguu, noting it would be ironical to establish such a facility without a source of raw material.
“We always meet with farmers at the end of every year to chart the way forward on the challenges they have faced in the course of the year. Today we came with other leaders to inspect and ensure everything is in order. We have gone round inspecting all the stands to ensure they adhere to the set standards,” he said.
The CEO urged farmers to ensure they register and attend the 11th Farmers Field Day this Saturday.
Gitonga said milk production will hit the 1 million litres mark per day by the end of this year, compared to 10,000 to 20,000 litres when the company was established, before rising to 670,000 litres.
He expressed optimism that the trend will continue in a bid to expand the market abroad and increase production.
“When we started the milk production intake, we used to produce about 10,000 to 20,000 litres before it rose to 670,000 litres by yesterday. Production will hit the 1 million mark by the end of this year. We expect to continue expanding the market abroad to increase production. We always ensure that all farmers are paid promptly by the 5th of every month.”
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The CEO said the price of sexed semen has dropped from Ksh7,000 to Ksh1,400, with demand now overtaking supply, and lauded President Ruto for the initiative.
He said sexed semen distribution started last year, noting the pilot calves will be on display this Saturday.
“Farmers will start getting quality animal feeds at an affordable cost. Farmers will be happy because they will start saving. Currently, we are selling milk abroad to Comoros and would like to increase the amount produced and sell it to neighbouring countries in a bid to enhance profit margins,” he said.
He urged both the national and county governments to intervene and bring in more foreign buyers.
Gitonga said the union has initiated a quality based system where milk will be sold according to quality.
By John Majau.
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