Kenyan government injects US$72,800 to empower dairy farmers in Makueni County

KENYA – The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperative Development, in partnership with the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), has injected over US$72,800 (KES 9.425 million) into the Nguu/Masumba Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society to accelerate dairy value chain development and improve the livelihoods of local farmers.

Presiding over the event, Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili presented an Inclusion Grant of US$6,215 (KES 805,500) and a matching grant of US$66,435 (KES 8.6 million) for the construction and equipping of the cooperative’s office.

Mulili said the investment will support the installation of a solar-powered milk cooling system to reduce electricity costs, curb milk spoilage caused by power outages, and improve milk quality.

The project will also establish a mechanization hub equipped with modern farm machinery to boost fodder production, lower feed costs, and make mechanization services more accessible to dairy farmers.

Funded by the Government of Kenya and the World Bank through NAVCDP, the initiative is expected to increase dairy productivity, strengthen market competitiveness, enhance farmer incomes, and promote climate-smart, sustainable agriculture in the region.

ILRI, KDB sign MOU to strengthen Kenya’s dairy sector

In 2025, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Kenya Dairy Board signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen Kenya’s dairy systems from ‘farm to glass’.

This agreement formalizes years of collaboration between the two institutions, particularly through the More Milk project. It sets the stage for deeper integration of research, regulation, and innovation across the entire dairy value chain.

The MOU underscores a shared commitment to improving dairy production, processing, and consumer awareness—anchored in the principle of working “from farm to glass.”

It brings together ILRI’s cutting-edge scientific expertise and KDB’s regulatory leadership to unlock new opportunities for smallholder farmers, processors, and consumers alike.

Appolinaire Djikeng, Director General of ILRI, said, “Together, this partnership can bridge critical gaps, strengthening both the informal and formal dairy chains, improving milk safety and quality standards, and scaling innovations that enhance productivity and resilience among smallholder farmers.”

Key priorities under the agreement include improving value-chain linkages from farm gate to retail shelf, reinforcing food safety surveillance and laboratory support, rolling out targeted consumer education and vendor training programs, and aligning policies through evidence-based standards and regulations.

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