Nyandarua County Investment Forum, which includes local dairies and businesspeople, says it is planning a Sh1.2 billion milk processor in Kipipiri set to be complete by 2018.

Chairman, Muriuki Karue who is also the county Senator, said the processor will be called Nyandarua Maziwa Industries.

He said currently the county produces 200 million litres yearly, yet area farmers continue to suffer owing to poor prices.

“It is only in Nyandarua where farm-gate milk prices remain at an average of Sh23 per litre. The ideal price is Sh50 per litre. This can only be realised if we were to put our heads and resources together as a county and establish a value addition link,” he said.

He said milk sector gross wealth annually is Sh4.6 billion as opposed to a potential Sh10 billion.

“We can even drive that wealth to Sh50 billion. All we need is to put our sector structures right. Seal all leaks in the value chain and motivate the farmer with good prices. Otherwise we will get nowhere,” he said.

He said he has mobilised area dairy cooperative societies to embrace establishment of an umbrella cooperative society that will handle the bulk of milk production in the county hence kicking out brokers in the value chain.

“So far we have raised Sh30 million that we have used to procure a 30-acre piece of land in Kipipiri Sub County. We will thereafter lobby the Central government as well as the county government to pump resources in this project and see its full implementation,” he said.