Nakuru County Celebrates World Milk Day in Kuresoi South Sub-county

Written by Mercy Kihugu

Nakuru County produced 318 million litres of milk valued at 13.9 billion shillings last year from an estimated population of 466,800 herds of cattle. The value of raw milk produced in the County is projected to increase by about 22 per cent in the next three years to over 16 billion shillings.

This was revealed during the World Milk Day celebrations at kCSeeds Dairy Plant in Keringet, Kuresoi South Sub-county themed ‘Celebrating the vital role of dairy play in delivering quality nutrition to nourish the world‘.

Agriculture CECM Leonard Bor said the day is intended to provide an opportunity to bring attention to activities connected with the dairy sector, focus attention on milk, and raise awareness of dairy’s part in healthy diets, responsible food production, and supporting livelihoods and communities.

He added that the event provided a learning opportunity for farmers to improve their dairy management skills for increased incomes.

Bor added that the county will continue supporting the dairy industry since it employs 120,212 farm families, and supports over 500,000 people.

Milk value chain actors in the county are organized into the Nakuru County Value Chain Platform which brings together dairy sector stakeholders to ensure the production of quality, nutritious, safe milk and milk products.

The county has supported dairy cooperatives by conducting capacity-building training and constructing 10 milk cooling plants 8 of which are already equipped.

There are 22 cooperative societies and 1 community company in the dairy value chain currently.

He was accompanied by Chief Officers Dr Michael Cheruiyot (Livestock, Fisheries and Veterinary Services), Newton Mwaura (Agriculture), Kennedy Mungai (Environment), Kibet Kurgat (Cooperatives), Keringet Ward MCA Hon. William Mutai and Nyota Ward MCA Hon. Wesley Lang’at among other officials.