Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has lauded the Meru Dairy Cooperative Union for marking a rare milestone after being ranked as the largest producer of processed milk in the entire Africa continent.
The Deputy President said with a milk processing capacity of 670,000 litres per day, the union has established a magnificent feed processing mill at a cost of 500 million shillings, including 200 million shillings support from the government.
Kindiki said the union milk processing capacity rose from 650,000 litres per day a few days ago before reaching the current figures of 670,000 litres per day.
“Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union is today the largest producer of processed milk in Africa. With a milk processing capacity of 670,000 litres per day, the Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union has established a magnificent feed processing mill at a cost of 500 million shillings, including 200 million shillings support from the Government of Kenya,” said the DP.
He was speaking in Meru County when he represented President William Ruto during the 11th Annual Farmers Field Day held at Gitooro showground, North Imenti constituency in Meru County where about 50,000 farmers, politicians and government officials graced the occasion.
Earlier the second in command represented the President Ruto to officially commission Phase 1 of Meru Maziwa Millers Feed Mill at Mitunguu in South Imenti Constituency constructed at a cost of Sh 500 million with the government donating Sh 200million
He attributed the success of the unique leadership skills and conducive working environment from the Kenya Kwanza government and urged the Meru Community to support President Ruto second term bid during the forth coming general elections.
He said the mill will produce subsidized dairy cow feed to ensure increased profit margins for milk farmers.
The accolades comes barely a few hours before the union Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Gitonga announced to the jubilant farmers an increase of the milk plant.
The CEO said they will start buying a litre of milk at Sh 52 to be paid promptly on 5th of every month.
Gitonga said the milk production is set to hit the 1million litres mark per day by the end of this year compared to 10 000 to 20000 litres when the company was established before rising to 650 000 litres.
He expressed optimism that the trend will continue in a bid to expand the market abroad to increase production.
“When we started the milk production intake, we used to produce about 10 000 to 20 000 litres per day before it rose to 670 000 litres per day by yesterday. The production will hit the 1million mark by the end of this year.We expect to continue expanding the market abroad to increase production. We always ensure that all the farmers are paid promptly by the 5th of every month,” he said.
Gitonga said they have already embraced the greening program from the national government noting they plan to plant about 1 million trees during the project.
He called on the national government to assist the union in expanding the market outreach abroad including Comoros, Nigeria and other African Countries.
Expressing similar sentiment Meru County Governor Isaac Mutuma also hailed the union for being the largest producer of processed milk in Africa.
“With a processing capacity of 670,000 litres per day, Meru Central Dairy continues to set the pace in agricultural value addition. The KSh 500 million feed mill, supported by KSh 200 million from the Government of Kenya, will produce quality subsidized dairy feed, lower production costs, and increase returns for our hardworking dairy farmers.
Today, I joined Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki in Mitunguu, South Imenti Constituency, for the commissioning of Phase I of the Meru Maziwa Millers Feed Mill, a transformative investment by the Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union that will strengthen our dairy value chain,” said governor Mutuma.
He said the investment is a major boost to the dairy sector by creating greater opportunities for farmers, strengthening food security, and driving economic growth across Meru.
