Young people in Meru County have been urged to tap into the vast opportunities available in the dairy farming sub-sector, with stakeholders saying it is ripe for innovation and growth.
Leaders expressed optimism that increased youth participation will drive sustainable growth.
Speaking during the launch of the Naari Dairy Cooperative Society’s five-year Strategic Plan, Meru Dairy Cooperative Union CEO Kenneth Gitonga challenged youth to embrace agriculture as a viable path to prosperity.
Gitonga, who was the chief guest at the event, described dairy farming as a critical pillar of economic empowerment, especially for young entrepreneurs.
“This is a bold roadmap for growth and transformation in our dairy sector. Naari Dairy is one of the founding members of Meru Central Dairy Co-operative Union. I challenge the society’s farmers to increase production from 11,000 litres to 20,000 litres within the next two years,” Gitonga said.
He also appealed to the national government to enact legislation that would reduce or subsidize the high taxes imposed on agricultural inputs and dairy machinery, which he said were stifling growth in the sector.
“We have only 40 owners of milk companies compared to Uganda’s 160, yet they produce less than we do. This discrepancy is largely due to the punitive taxes we face,” he added.
Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri echoed Gitonga’s sentiments, commending Naari Dairy’s efforts in sensitizing the community, particularly the youth, on the benefits of dairy farming.
“It is bearing fruits. I am confident that within a short period, we will see a growing number of young people actively participating in the sector,” Rindikiri noted.
Naari Dairy Cooperative Society Chairman Martin Murerwa emphasized the untapped potential in rural areas, urging residents to make productive use of idle land by rearing dairy cattle.
“Just find a place to construct a cowshed, buy a cow, and feeding it will become habitual. If we inseminate 200 cows per month, that’s 2,400 calves a year. There is no excuse not to venture into dairy farming,” Murerwa said.
