Dairy farming in Kisii and Nyamira counties has received a major boost after World Bank announced the release of Sh31 million for empowerment of five cooperative creameries in the region.
Speaking at Nyamira town on Monday, WB representative Ronald Wolf said the grant would ensure farmers receive best services from their respective creameries in Kisii and Nyamira counties in a bid to increase the yields of dairy products.
He challenged farmers from the region to join the cooperatives in a bid to receive the services, besides asking them to invest more in dairy farming.
“The World Bank has recognised that dairy farmers from this region are very hardworking since most of them use limited resources to ensure they succeed. We have released Sh31 million to milk processing plants in the region so that you receive better services,” he said.
“It is important that you join the milk cooperatives so that you are not left out of the essential services. People should not overlook dairy farming because it is one of the sectors contributing towards GDP of our country,” he added.
He said that some of the essential services that will be provided to the farmers include improved payment per litter, formal training on dairy farming, health services on cows and general farming principles.
Currently, most farmers from Gusii region have joined their counterparts from Rift Valley in dairy farming with the Nyamira County government launching an artificial insemination exercise. The cooperatives include Kisii, Nyamira, Borabu, Nyamusi and Kenyenya.