Ikalaasa Dairy Cooperative receives US$6,226 to strengthen operations

KENYA – Ikalaasa Dairy Cooperative in Machakos County has received US$6,226 in financial support to strengthen operations, improve milk collection, and expand processing capacity.

The financial assistance is expected to strengthen the cooperative’s ability to provide better services to dairy farmers while improving market access and creating opportunities to increase household incomes.

The latest funding complements milk cooling machines previously provided to the cooperative to improve milk preservation and maintain quality before the milk reaches the market.

Speaking during the cheque issuance, Wavinya Ndeti said continued investment in cooperative societies was important because it provided farmers with a platform to pool resources, improve productivity and access better markets.

She reaffirmed her commitment to supporting cooperatives, noting that they played a significant role in increasing farmers’ incomes and strengthening agricultural production.

The initiative aligns with the broader “Chakula Mezani, Pesa Mfukoni” vision, which aims to strengthen agricultural productivity while improving the economic well-being of farming households.

The Kenya Dairy Board has previously highlighted the importance of hygienic milk handling and quality control in developing Kenya’s dairy sector.

It has also identified improved market access and better dairy enterprise management practices as essential measures for increasing the incomes of households that depend on dairy farming.

The latest investment is therefore expected to enhance the cooperative’s capacity to handle milk from farmers, improve its operational efficiency and strengthen the connection between dairy production and household income growth.

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

Recently, the government 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 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.

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