This archive report was first published on 23 July 2019.
On July 23, 2019, Agriculture Chief Administrative Secretary Dr Andrew Tuimur emphasized the need for the dairy value chain to adopt technology and value addition to increase productivity and competitiveness.
Dr Tuimur noted that the current high cost of production has made local dairy products less competitive, stifling growth in the industry.
Unpredictable weather patterns, expensive animal feeds and supplements, and poor infrastructure are major challenges facing the dairy industry.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Kenya produces 5.2 billion litres of milk annually, but consumption falls short of the World Health Organization's recommendation.
As a result, Kenya has been importing dairy products from neighbouring countries like Uganda to meet demand.
Efforts to scale up production include urging dairy farmers to adopt technology and mechanize their operations.
However, high demand for dairy products against low productivity levels has created opportunities for illicit activities, such as milk adulteration, which the government aims to address through new regulations.
The dairy industry is a significant contributor to Kenya's economy, employing about 1 million people and accounting for an average of 4 per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Product.
