• In an intensive farming system, the cost of production can go as high as Sh47.
• Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) is undertaking the survey to determine the current cost of milk production.
Image: GEORGE MURAGE
Dairy farmers in Kenya continue to grapple with high cost of milk production driven by the skyrocketing prices of feeds.
Currently, cost of production ranges between Sh37 and Sh47 depending on the production system for a litre 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," said Livestock Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke.
The PS spoke during the launch of the Kenya Dairy Board Strategic Plan 2023-2027 at KDB headquarters in Nairobi.
Mueke said besides expensive feeds, climate change has also contributed to the situation.
The government through KDB and other stakeholders, has put in place interventions to support farmers on fodder production.
“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,” Mueke said.
The interventions also seeks to boost the country's milk exports by 200 million litres every year.
“We are seeking to expand milk production even in the non- traditional milk producing areas such as the Asals. Besides doubling 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,” he said.
Mueke said the dairy sector is not just a vital component of our agricultural economy, but also key in food security and nutrition efforts.
“As we move forward, it is imperative that we embrace sustainable practices that not only increase productivity but also ensure the wellbeing of our farmers and the quality of our dairy products,” he said.
Kenya Dairy Board managing director Margaret Kibogy said the country has improved value of export markets to about Sh4 billion in Tanzania, South Sudan and Somalia.
She said Tanzania is a big market for Kenya’s UHT products and the two countries are in talks 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,” Kibogy said.
“Those are some of the areas we are negotiating as a sector to push our products. We're also looking at the Middle East market. We have started with camel milk powder which is doing well so far hence the need for more products."
One of the key export challenges the country is facing is sustainability.
“This is due to the effects of climate change such as drought. Today there is a market for export and tomorrow we're not able to service that market. This is a big challenge and we want to rally our farmers to produce more milk because we have enough capacity to absorb,” Kibogy said.
Other interventions such as breeding, disease control and farmer extension services will be implemented to increase productivity from five to 10 litres per day per cow.
“Ward-based feed centres will be established to supply feed to dairy farmers. The increased production will require additional investments in milk cooling and processing to handle the estimated 3.3 billion litres of milk to be formally marketed per year,” she said.
Farmer centric interventions are expected to increase productivity and production of milk while enhancing the profitability, resilience and sustainability of dairy farming.
“This will impact on other upstream activities with more milk available for processing, value addition and marketing,” Kibogy said.
According to the strategic plan, the board will play a critical role in improving the quality and safety of dairy produce by investing in milk cooling and processing.
This is in addition to product diversification, expanding markets for dairy produce and implementation of minimum guaranteed prices for raw milk.
Chairman Genesio Mugo said the strategic plan is anchored on five key results areas, which are crucial to ensuring prosperity of the dairy industry.
“The launch of this strategic plan signifies our resolve to navigate challenges, seize opportunities and transform the dairy sector into a beacon of economic prosperity and social development," he said.
We envision a future where dairy farming not only sustains livelihoods but also contributes significantly to Kenya's food security and economic growth.”