This archive report was first published on 14 August 2019.
On August 14, 2019, the Kenyan government announced plans to overhaul the dairy industry value chain and improve animal breeding to increase milk production by billions.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the ten-year strategy will be relooked to give it the boost necessary for the realization of the interests of stakeholders.
"Kenya is the third-largest milk producer after Ethiopia and Sudan with 5.2 billion litres annually and has the highest per capita consumption in Africa. Yet many challenges remain," said Agriculture CAS Andrew Tuimur.
Dr. Tuimur emphasized the importance of implementing the revamped strategy, which will see production capacity markedly improved through initiatives such as the procurement and distribution of 350 milk coolers and the setting up of modern bull stations.
The government is also focusing on improving the quality and safety of milk, improving breeding, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions from farming activities.
Livestock Principal Secretary Harry Kimtai highlighted the enormous potential of the dairy sector, which is yet to be fully harnessed.
Kenya Dairy Board Managing Director Margaret Kibogy said the regulator had revised its strategy in line with global best practices and was set to achieve ambitious targets, including increasing production from the current 640 million litres to 1 billion litres of processed milk by 2022.
