Farmers form dairy outfit to fight for better milk prices
Grace Wambui, a Milk vendor selling milk at her shop. Smallholder dairy farmers in Nakuru County have resolved to form a federation to negotiate for better prices for their produce to fight the fluctuating milk prices from the giant processors. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL
What you need to know:
- The federation will be to bring more than 500,000 dairy farmers in the county under one umbrella body.
- Federation will also boost milk production in the county as farmers will have a central collection point where their produce will be collected by the processors.
- Federation to be headed by one of the top milk producers in the country, James Ndung’u Karanja, the owner of Pokea Farm in Njoro sub–county.
Dairy farmers in Nakuru County have resolved to form a federation to negotiate for better prices for their produce to fight the fluctuating milk prices from the giant processors.
Nakuru County Dairy Federation will be headed by one of the top milk producers in the country, James Ndung’u Karanja, the owner of Pokea Farm in Njoro sub–county.
He will be assisted by Joseph Kariuki, Wilson Mabwai (secretary), Samuel Ndung’u (assistant secretary) and Teresia Riungu (treasurer). Other federation officials are James Kirubi (Molo), Joseph Gathuru Mbira (Gilgil), Michael Kahungu (Rongai), Francis Wanjema (Nakuru North) and Jeremiah Jomo (Kuresoi North).
ONE UMBRELLA BODY
Apart from seeking for better prices, the other objective of the federation will be to bring more than 500,000 dairy farmers in the county under one umbrella body, provide market links and enable access to loans, fertiliser and empower members to know their rights.
According to Nakuru County Dairy Value Chain officer Henry Ng’eno, the federation will also boost milk production in the county as farmers will have a central collection point where their produce will be collected by all the processors.
Farmers endorsed the outfit during a value chain consultative meeting this week.
