Boost for Embu dairy farmers as US$602,800 investment delivers 13 milk coolers

KENYA – The Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock Development, led by CS Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, in partnership with the County Governor Cecily Mbarire, and the Kenya Dairy Board, has launched 13 bulk milk coolers under the Livestock Value Chain Support Project to boost dairy.

Installed for US$602,800 (KES77.93 million), the milk coolers will benefit over 3,900 farmers, enabling the aggregation of 25,000L of milk per day, valued at Sh1.125 million, translating to 9.12 million litres annually, worth US$3.18 million (KES410.6 million).

“By improving milk storage and quality, farmers can now venture into value addition, producing milk powder and other dairy products for sale, both locally and in export markets,” Kagwe said.

This comes shortly after the government banned the importation of milk powder, creating greater opportunities for local processors.

The coolers are expected to transform aggregation centres into vibrant business hubs, generating employment and stimulating auxiliary services within the dairy ecosystem.

CS Kagwe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the dairy value chain, reducing post-harvest losses, and stabilising farmer incomes, through targeted investments and supportive policies.

He further noted that the State Department for Livestock Development continues to scale up farmer support through subsidies on vaccination, sexed semen, and affordable animal feeds, ensuring a vibrant, profitable, and sustainable dairy sector that serves both local and international markets.

The distribution and installation of milk coolers are part of President William Ruto’s key intervention to subsidise production costs and improve the dairy sector, and to move smallholder farmers from subsistence to commercial farming.

The distribution began in June-July 2025, with initial batches flagged off by President Ruto in Meru County, and subsequent handovers led by other government officials in various counties, including Nyandarua and Embu.

The ongoing rollout aims to distribute 230 bulk milk coolers across 40 counties in the Sh1.45 billion project.

Once installed and operational, the government anticipates the coolers will increase the national milk chilling capacity by 475,000 litres daily, directly and indirectly supporting over 2 million people.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya produced an estimated 5.3 billion litres of milk in 2024, with 80 per cent coming from smallholder farmers.

However, the country still loses approximately six per cent of marketed milk annually to post-harvest losses—about 175 million litres valued at Sh7.9 billion.

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