The dairy sector countrywide and Meru in particular is bracing itself for a momentous occasion with President William Ruto set to preside over the 11th Annual Meru Dairy Farmers Field Day anniversary at Gitooro showground in Meru town this Saturday.
Meru Dairy Cooperative Union Chief Executive Officer(CEO) Kenneth Gitonga said President Ruto will officially launch the Mitunguu Animal Feed Production factory constructed at a cost of about Sh500.
Speaking at Gitooro showground in Meru town, North Imenti constituency in Meru County, Gitonga appealed to all the dairy industry stakeholders to ensure they register and attend the event owing to it educational and economical benefits.
“We have invited both the national and county government to the event in order to enable us to resolve some of the challenges farmers face year. The event started in 2013 with the main aim being to improve the quality and quantity of the milk produced. Ruto will officially launch the Mitunguu Animal Feed Production factory constructed at a cost of about Sh500. President Ruto donated Sh200 million making it almost half of the total amount,” said the CEO.
He said during the forum, they educate and consult with each others about the challenges they encounter.
Gitonga said so far 4500 farmers have confirmed they will attend the forum and urge the dairy fraternity to register and attend the event.
He insisted that mechanism have been put in place to get raw materials for the animal feed plant at Mitunguu noting it would be ironical to establish such a facility without a source of raw material.
“We always meet with farmers at the end of every year to chart the way forward on the challenges they have faced in the course of the year. Today we came with other leaders to inspect and ensure everything is in order. We have gone round inspecting all the stands to ensure they adhere to the set standards” he said
The CEO urged farmers to ensure they register and attend the 11th farmers Field Day this Saturday.
Milk production per day to hit 1 million litres mark
Gitonga said the milk production will hit the 1million litres mark per day by the end of this year compared to 10 to 20 litres when the company was established before rising to 650 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 10000 to 20000 litres before it rose to 670 000 litres 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.
The CEO said sexed semen price dropped from Sh 7000 to Sh 1400 with the demand now overtaking and lauded President Ruto for the initiative.
He said sexed semen started last year noting the pilot calves will be on display this Saturday.
“Farmers will start getting quality animal feeds at affordable cost. Farmers will be happy because they will start saving. Currently we are selling milk abroad to Comoros and would like to increase the amount produced and sell it to the neighboring countries in bid to enhance profit margins,” he said.
He urged the both the national and county governments to intervene and bring more foreign buyers.
Gitonga said the union has initiated quality based system where milk will be sold as per the quality.
