The government of Kenya has introduced new regulations set to boost milk production. Kenya Dairy Board (KDB), Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya said the rules aims at protecting the Kenya’s dairy industry from unfair trade practices and set a minimum return price for each litre sold.
CS Munya noted that farmers were being sensitized about different services available in the ministry to maximize produce and prevent unnecessary dumping. However, the new regulations is expected to streamline the industry. It will boost the milk sub-sector by increasing milk production and profits to farmers.
Unverified quality
“A farmer must get the amount of money that gives them profit and cover for their losses so they can continue producing more milk and earning more to boost themselves. Milk co-operative societies should pay farmers according to the minimum return price required by the law which is set to be reviewed every 6 months depending on the availability and market force. You should report anyone that pays you less than the minimum return price to the Kenya Dairy Board so that necessary action can be taken against them,” said the CS.
Mr. Munya also refuted the selling of milk from outside the country, where the manufacturing process and quality has not been verified through intensive examination, adding that they are working with the Ministry of Interior to arrest the culprits.
He further added that milk can only be imported if production is low in the country, while observing that the dairy sector had the potential to sell milk beyond the country’s borders.
The CS emphasized on the importance of learning cheap animal feed sources, noting that a new board has been appointed to verify the feeds as well as the quality of fertilizers. The new regulations have also been implemented in other sectors such as tea and coffee to boost production.
