President William Ruto will today (June 13) launch the construction of a multimillion shilling animal feeds factory in Meru.
The feed mill by Meru Dairy Cooperative Union at Mitunguu, South Imenti, is expected to lower the cost of animal feeds.
It is being built at a cost of Sh200 million.
According to Meru Dairy CEO Kenneth Gitonga, the animal feed processing factory is advised by rising demand for quality and affordable feeds.
Often, farmers have paid heavily for poor quality feeds eating into their production and earnings.
The national government has since allocated Sh100 million for the project after President Ruto pledged the amount last year.
“I have heard your request to start making your own animal feed so as to control quality. Out of the Sh200 million needed, the national government will allocate Sh100 million. The cooperative will cater for the rest,” President Ruto said.
It is also part of the government and the cooperative efforts to increase milk production in Meru to 1 million litres a day.
The President said the government has also zero rated animal feeds raw materials to lower the cost of production.
President Ruto will then tour the Meru Dairy factory in Meru town where it produces the Mt Kenya milk brands.
Farmers day
He will then join more than 45,000 farmers for the 9th annual farmers field day at Gitoro Showground.
The field day brings together exhibitors, service providers, manufacturers and farmers besides showcasing the best producing dairy cows in the region.
Top milk producers are also awarded at the event.
Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi recently said the president is also expected to launch the distribution of affordable sexed semen across the country.
Access and cost of sexed semen has also been a challenge for dairy farmers in the country.
Meru residents are also expecting the president to deliver his promise to provide more milk coolers for the region.
The event will be graced by cooperatives CS Simon Chelugui and his Agriculture counterpart Mithika Linturi among others leaders.
