Dairy farmers in Kiambu sub-county have been advised to embrace new technology in the sub-sector in an effort to maximise production.
Speaking on Friday during a dairy forum held at the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries offices, the livestock officer in Kiambu sub-county, Eustace Mureithi, said that use of new technology will ensure constant supply of dairy products even when faced with challenges brought about by changing climatic conditions.
He observed that if proper mechanisms such as training farmers on value addition were put in place, safe and quality products would be produced and sold for better returns to the farmer and for promoting food security in the country in the long term.
"Improvement of the sector would also improve livelihoods for thousands of young people seeking employment in milk collection, processing and sales. This will ensure the industry plays a key role in poverty eradication," said Mureithi.
He pointed out that the major challenge facing the sub-sector was informal hawking of milk where marketing was done using unhygienic containers and poor milk handling practices.
Mureithi urged the farmers to introduce milk bar licenses to accommodate small-scale milk traders.
Additionally, he advocated for formation of associations that will promote value addition and profitability of the industry as well as promoting investments in the dairy value chain.