The high cost of milk production in Kenya remains unbearable to dairy farmers a situation mainly driven by the increased price of feeds.

At the moment, it costs between Sh. 37 and Sh. 47 to produce a litre of milk, depending on the system used in milk production.

The government should consider intervening with measures to cushion farmers against the high cost of milk.

“This has been the situation for the past five years. We are however conducting a survey to know whether the costs have gone up,” Livestock Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke exclaimed.

The PS said this while officiating the launch of the Kenya Dairy Board Strategic Plan 2023-2027 at the board’s headquarters in Nairobi.

In addition to the expensive feeds, Mueke said, climate change has also contributed to the situation. On fodder production, the government through the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) and other stakeholders has put in place some interventions to support farmers.

“The goal is to double annual production of milk from the current 5.2 billion litres to 11 billion litres and grow annual exports of dairy produce to one billion litres by 2027,” Livestock Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke said.

State’s plan to improve irrigation sector, produce more food, create jobs

“We are seeking to expand milk production even in the non-traditional milk-producing areas such as the Asals. Besides doubling the production of farmers in the milk-growing areas, we will also look into northern Kenya, Coast and Lower Eastern where we are currently piloting. We will assist farmers with extension service and capacity building to help increase production,” Jonathan Mueke said.

According to Livestock Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke, the dairy sector is one of the key sectors in our agricultural economy, but it also occupies an important place in the pursuit of food security and good nutrition.

According to Margaret Kibogy, the Managing Director of the Kenya Dairy Board, the country has improved in value by about Sh. 4 billion to export markets in Tanzania, South Sudan, and Somalia.

Kibogy said Tanzania remains a major market for Kenya’s UHT products, and the two countries are in discussion to review tariffs for Kenya to access the market.

“We are also looking at other markets in Western Africa and South Africa such as Zimbabwe following the African continental free trade area. The markets are there, but the landing costs could give us a challenge,” Margaret Kibogy exclaimed.