This year’s World Milk Day was held in Keringet, Kuresoi South Constituency in Nakuru County with calls on farmers to embrace modern technology.
Though the day is held on June 1, in Nakuru County the day was held on Thursday culminating into a two day dairy farmers’ exhibition due to the fact that Kenya Marks Madaraka Day on June 1.
The event was organized by Nakuru County Dairy Platform(NACODA) in partnership with the regulator of the dairy sector Kenya Dairy Board, Nakuru County government among others.
Speaking on Thursday during the event, Nakuru County CECM for Agriculture Leonard Bor termed the day key towards ensuring flow of information on matters dairy farming.
He called on Farmers to embrace modern technology and also milk value addition.
The CECM added that Extension services are being worked on to help farmers and even youth who are engaging in agriculture.
Nakuru County had a production of 318 million liters of milk valued at 13.9 billion shillings last year from an estimated population of 466,800 herds of cattle.
It is projected that the value of raw milk produced in the County will increase by about 22 percent in the next three years to over 16 billion shillings.
This year’s theme for World Milk Day is ‘Celebrating the vital role of dairy play in delivering quality nutrition to nourish the world’.
The day is meant to raise awareness of dairy’s part in healthy diets, responsible food production, and supporting livelihoods and communities.
It provides a learning opportunity for farmers to improve their dairy management skills for increased income.
The county government under leadership of Governor Susan Kihika has vowed to continue supporting the dairy industry since it directly employs 120,212 farm families, supporting over 500,000 people.
The event had over 40 exhibitors from the county working in the dairy sector.
Janet Chuma- Executive Director KC Seed, Keringet lauded the County Government of Nakuru for continued support.
“As farmers we just need support through better price for our milk,” she stated.
She noted that Kuresoi North and Kuresoi South are the leading sub counties in Nakuru when it comes to milk production.
Sentiments echoed by Keringet MCA William Mutai.
He urged the County Government to ensure aggregation centre is established in the area.
“We call for an aggregation centre where farmers can access fertilizer and quality seeds,” he stated.
Waweru Nyangi-Chair Nakuru County Dairy Platform (NACODA) on his part noted that Dairy Farmers are committed towards dairy farming.
“We just call for continued support so that we can even double the production moving forward,” he stated
According to Mr Nyangi, NACODA is very grateful to the county government of Nakuru for the support.
He however called on County to ensure improved infrastructure so that dairy farmers cannot suffer anymore in reaching markets.
NACODA also called for need to have youth incorporated in matters Agriculture.
“The youth should be encouraged to venture into dairy farming. All farmers should experience the same in all sub counties,” he stated.
Nyangi also called on the government to ensure review of the pricing so that the dairy farmer cannot be left to suffer.
He reiterated that the County Co-operative Reviving Fund is key to boost the Dairy sector.
Author: Pristone Mambili
A trained Journalist with passion for Radio and online Writing.