Italian investors to set up Sh2bn model dairy farm in Eldoret

Court of Appeal judge Justice Agnes Murgor at her Moiben Dairy Farm in Uasin Gishu County. Italian investors plan to set up a dairy farm at Moi University in Eldoret. FILE| NATION

What you need to know:

  • The Italian investors say on completion, the project will produce over 25,000 litres of milk daily from 1,000 high-yielding pedigree cows.
  • Prof Mibey assured the investors that the university has the capacity to train farmers in modern techniques, adding that the school of agriculture and natural resources as well as that of environmental science will be instrumental in the investment.

A group of Italian investors have set their sights on dairy farming in Kenya through a joint venture with local institutions.

The project to be undertaken in partnership with Moi University and Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA), is estimated to cost between Sh1.6 billion and Sh2 billion.

The project, which is expected to be launched this year, will be set up at the university’s main campus in Eldoret.

The deal has already been sealed with the Italian firm Sace-Servizi Internazionali which brings together nine specialists in beef and dairy value chain.

Speaking last week during a fact-finding mission on the proposed project site at the university’s farm, the Italian investors led by Luca Goldoni lauded Kenya for offering an enabling environment for investment.

“Our model dairy farm in Italy is among the best in the world as we generate over three million euros every year after deducting all the expenses. We want to replicate the same in Kenya,” said Mr Goldoni.

The Italian investors say on completion, the project will produce over 25,000 litres of milk daily from 1,000 high-yielding pedigree cows.

The university has already donated 300 acres of land for the project. Besides funding it, the Italian investors will provide technical expertise. KVDA will offer capacity building and other logistical support.

Moi University Vice-Chancellor Prof Richard Mibey, who hosted the investors, said the project would be a huge boost to the institution.

The initiative will help cut the institution’s cost of electricity as the project will generate one megawatt of power from biogas. The university, which has a population of about 50,000 currently, spends between Sh20 million and Sh22 million in electricity bills every month.

CAPACITY TO TRAIN

Prof Mibey assured the investors that the university has the capacity to train farmers in modern techniques, adding that the school of agriculture and natural resources as well as that of environmental science will be instrumental in the investment.

“We will soon roll out a certificate course in artificial insemination (AI) targeting farmers. We want the model dairy farm to be a game-changer in modern dairy farming in Kenya and beyond,” said Prof Mibey who was with heads of various departments.

He said the university will also partner with Italian universities in carrying out research on animal husbandry and other fields.

The proposed model farm will have a plant to manufacture butter, yoghurt and powdered milk. It will also have a state-of-the-art feed chamber.

KVDA Managing Director David Kimosop said the project will enable the North Rift region to regain its lost glory as the leader in milk production in the country.

“Moi University was chosen as one of the partners in the project to help impart relevant skills to students and farmers. We want our people to gain hands-on skills, which will see them manage and run a farm when they get out of university as opposed to relying on the elusive white collar jobs,” said Mr Kimosop.

He said more farmers will be trained on modern dairy farming methods which they will replicate in Baringo, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Samburu, Trans Nzoia, Nandi and Nakuru counties.

Mr Kimosop said the dairy project will benefit immensely from the recently formed economic bloc by the eight North Rift counties, which has a market of over 5.7 million people.

He said Kerio Valley boasts of enormous resources which if fully harnessed will turn around the economy of the region.