- Kiambu dairy farmers want improved access to quality animal feeds and sexed semen to boost milk production.
- Farmers cite poor genetics, substandard feeds and aflatoxin contamination as key challenges affecting dairy productivity.
- Limited milk cooling facilities are also affecting milk quality, forcing some farmers to travel long distances for services.
Dairy farmers in Kiambu County are urging the national and county governments to improve access to quality animal feeds and sexed semen to boost milk production.
The farmers say poor animal genetics and substandard feeds remain the biggest obstacles facing the dairy sector. They want both levels of government to step in and address these challenges.
Ministry of Livestock dairy officer Joanne Atian’g acknowledged that farmers were grappling with poor genetics and low quality feeds, which have contributed to reduced production. Speaking during a field visit, she said the government was working to tackle the challenges and improve organisation within the dairy industry.
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Atian’g said feed prices were likely to decline following the removal of taxes on imported maize, an important input in animal feed production. This, she added, should ease the cost burden on farmers.
Kiambaa Dairy Cooperative Society chairperson Peris Wanjiru said poor quality animal feeds had contributed to stagnating milk production over time. She called for urgent measures to raise feed standards and ensure farmers have reliable access to quality feeds.
Meanwhile, Dr Annette Sekempei flagged aflatoxin contamination, caused by poor handling of raw materials, as another challenge facing the sector. She urged farmers to seek relevant information and adopt better practices to curb the problem.
Dr Paul Mutugi, Head of Procurement and Extension Services, said maintaining milk quality remains difficult because of the limited number of milk coolers. As a result, some farmers are forced to travel long distances to access cooling facilities and related services.
By Jonathan Mwinzi
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