This archive report was first published on 2 July 2021.
Published on July 2, 2021, a dry spell in the North Rift region has led to a significant reduction in milk production, impacting dairy farmers and milk supplies.
The Kenya Dairy Farmers Federation (KDFF) and the Lessos Livestock Breeders Network (Lelbren) have noted that despite a good market price of Sh36 per litre of milk, supplies have remained low over the past five months.
Stanley Ngombe, chairman of KDFF, and Joshua Bungei, manager of Lelbren, attributed the low supplies to inadequate feeds for livestock due to the dry spell, which has drastically reduced vegetation.
“Nandi Cooperative Creameries Union currently receives a paltry 17,000 litres of milk daily, down from the expected 50,000 litres received in the same period last year,” said Ngombe.
Ngombe urged the government to consider waiving levies on livestock feeds to make it more affordable for farmers to boost production.
Bungei added that despite efficient payment to farmers, produce was still low due to inadequate feeds, with Lelbren receiving an average of 4,000 to 5,000 litres of milk daily, down from 7,000 litres during the same period last year.
“Farmers still rely heavily on free-range grazing and have not embraced preservation of feeds for use in dry season,” noted Bungei.
