This archive report was first published on 15 August 2019.
Published on August 15, 2019, the Kenyan government has unveiled plans to boost the country's milk production to one billion liters annually by 2022. This move is part of industry-wide reforms aimed at improving the dairy industry value chain.
The Agriculture Ministry plans to overhaul the dairy industry value chain and come up with a strategy to improve animal breeding to increase milk production, which currently stands at 640 million liters annually. Kenya is the third-largest milk producer in Africa, with 5.2 billion liters annually, and has the highest per capita consumption in the continent.
Agriculture Chief Administrative Secretary Andrew Tuimur said, "Kenya is the third-largest milk producer after Ethiopia and Sudan with 5.2 billion liters annually and has the highest per capita consumption in Africa. Yet many challenges remain."
Dr. Tuimur was speaking at the opening of a three-day African Dairy Conference organized by the Eastern and Southern Africa Dairy Association (ESADA) and other stakeholders. He emphasized the need to improve the quality and safety of milk, improve breeding, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from farming activities.
The Ministry plans to implement the revamped strategy through a host of initiatives, including the procurement and distribution of 350 milk coolers and the setting up of modern bull stations. Kenya Dairy Board Managing Director Margaret Kibogy said the regulator had also revised its strategy in line with global best practices.
