Dairy farmers in West Pokot earned Sh330 million from raw milk sales to Brookside last year as rising dairy farming keeps a region previously known for cattle rustling peaceful.
Brookside said local households, largely nomadic pastoralists, are increasingly turning to the enterprise as a source of income.
The earnings represented a 10 per cent jump over income in 2015 as farmers increasingly replacing the hardy Zebu cattle for the Friesian breed.
This has removed biggest incentive for cattle rustlers and ensured peace in farmlands where dairy farming is taking root.
Brookside Dairy attributed the growth to commercialisation of dairy farming in the higher altitude areas of the county.
Brookside’s director of milk procurement John Gethi said the farmers have formed dairy groups, enabling them enjoy economies of scale.
“The existence of a number of dairy co-operative societies and self-help groups in West Pokot has played a role in the growth of raw milk volumes procured from the county,” Gethi said during a tour of Brookside in Pokot.
“Previously, most of the milk in West Pokot was used for subsistence purposes. But we are seeing a trend where an increasing number of farmers are opting to sell their milk to us, as a way of guaranteeing regular family income,” Mr. Gethi added.
The Zebu cattle that the Pokot had kept for generations unlike the Friesian were hardy, making it easy for rustlers to steal them and drive them long distances.
The zebus also needed open grazing pastures, thus increasing conflict over grass in dry seasons.
Mr Gethi said Brookside would train farmers in the area on livestock disease identification and management as a measure to sustaining milk production.
PAYE Tax Calculator
Note: The results are not exact but very close to the actual.
