In 2023, Nakuru County produced 318 million litres of milk, valued at Sh. 13.9 billion, from an estimated 466,800 heads of cattle.

This number is expected to rise by 22 percent in 2026, to over Sh. 16 billion.

This was revealed by Nakuru County Chief Officer for Livestock, Fisheries, and Veterinary Services, Dr. Michael Cheruiyot during a sensitization program on commercialisation of fodder.

The engagement which saw farmers drawn from Nakuru and Baringo counties emphasized the significance of fodder commercialization as a sustainable solution to feed scarcity, livestock productivity challenges, and income generation for farmers.

"High-quality fodder enhances cattle nutrition, boosts milk production, improves product quality, and optimizes beef production," he states.

Dr Cheruyot noted that it was the introduction of high quality fodder that would boost milk production as expected.

The fodder commercialization project will be led by Commodity Market Exchange (CMX) in partnership with the county government.

CMX CEO Jacob Maaga highlighted that the company would contract farmers to grow super napier grass and secure market for the same.

"CMX will support the planting and trade of Super Napier, ensuring that all silage grown by farmers is purchased at a predetermined price, eliminating market access risks," Maaga states.

He adds that the initiative would explore innovative methods to maintain fodder quality, extend shelf life, and assess financial instruments and funding opportunities to support farmers.

The project will operate under a future contract model, providing farmers with price transparency and protection against fluctuations, guaranteeing them a stable and predictable income.

"This model ensures affordability for farmers while establishing a structured market mechanism for fodder," Maaga notes, emphasizing that the contracts will be regulated by the Capital Markets Authority (CMA).

He adds that the project will work with cooperative societies to enhance aggregation hence reducing milk price volatility in the county

Why Nakuru projects production of milk worth Sh 16billion by 2026

Author Spotlight

Muthoni Wanjiku