Kiambu County Agriculture Executive member Monica Waiganjo has promised to help dairy farmers’ groups buy a cooler to aid in processing their milk.
Speaking Thursday in Thika town during the opening of theThika District Business Association trade fair, Waiganjo said her department will prioritise buying of the cooler to enable Tumaini Self Help Group farmers’, one of the largest milk producers in Thika east, to be processing their own milk.
“I will ensure dairy farmers get the cooler for them to process their milk and consume it instead of buying processed milk from other parts of the country,” she said.
The minister said this would be essential to cater for the increased milk volumes within the region which she said exceed the capacity of the chilling facility.
“A young group comprising youthful members producing 1,300 litres of milk per day and who have combined efforts to buy a Land Rover to transport milk to a chilling facility should be well rewarded. The facility will reduce the cost incurred and help in value addition,” she said.
She, however, urged women to continue taking part in the groups which she insisted many have shunned away from.
Banana growers in the region have also called for the executive member’s help in pursuing a better market for their produce.