Milk processors bet on training farmers to curb shortage

Grappling with perennial milk shortage, processors are now betting on training farmers to boost production and turn the dairy sector into a profitable enterprise.

New KCC, a milk processor, has sponsored 90 producers for a one-week tour to Israel, a country that has transformed its dairy sector despite its desert climate.

Many dairy keepers in Kenya are subsistent farmers despite having the ability to produce more milk for commercial purposes. The farmers on tour will learn how the Israeli dairy industry uses modern techniques to reach production of 12,000 kilogrammes per cow throughout the year, against an average of 2,500 kg that farmers in Kenya get.

The New KCC managing director Nixon Sigey said most dairy farmers rely on pasture from fields to feed their cows which is in low supply during dry spells.

“We are now focusing on training to improve productivity and ensure farmers understand that dairy farming is a serious commercial entity and not a pastime business,” said Mr Sigey.

He said the farmers will get an opportunity to learn and emulate feed preservation techniques used in Israel. They will also learn modern, technological and efficient ways of dairy farming. The tour was organised by the New KCC extension wing, Platinum Ultra Events Limited and Israel Dairy School.

Processors are betting on training farmers to boost dairy supply of milk which has impacted negatively on production of powder milk with some forced to shelve expansion plans to Middle East markets. Some processors are now re-constituting stocks of powder to liquid milk.

Consumption of processed milk rose to a three-year high of 541.1 million litres last year, having peaked at 549 million litres in 2011.

Official statistics show that packaged milk consumption rises and falls in step with the performance of the broader economy.

A majority of Kenyans, however, still buy raw milk from farmers or middle men who hawk it at much lower prices.