Government, farmers launch Sh500m feed mill to boost Meru dairy sector

DICKSON MWITI-KNA

Meru dairy farmers will benefit from lower production costs and higher earnings following the commissioning of the Sh500-million Meru Maziwa Millers Feed Mill at Mitunguu in Imenti South Sub-County.

The farmers affiliated to the Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union will benefit from the mill, commissioned during the launch of Phase One.

It was built through a partnership between the Government of Kenya, which contributed Sh200 million, and farmers, who raised the remaining Sh300 million.

Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki said the new facility will reduce the cost of dairy feed from the current average of Sh3,200 to about Sh2,800 per bag, enabling farmers to improve their profit margins.

The Deputy President alluded that the farm-gate price of milk will increase from Sh50 to Sh52 per litre beginning in August, further boosting returns for dairy farmers.

He added that the government has reduced the cost of sexed semen from Sh7,000 to Sh1,400 to enable more farmers to improve the quality and productivity of their dairy herds.

“As we celebrate the success of Meru Dairy, let us also remember what the government has done for you. 

We will continue increasing the supply of subsidized sexed semen across the country,” Prof Kindiki said.

He pledged Sh100 million for Phase Two of the, mill and another Sh100 million through the supplementary budget to facilitate Phase Three.

He said the investment reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening the dairy sector, enhancing food security and improving farmers’ incomes.

Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Gitonga described the feed mill as a transformative investment that will significantly lower production costs and increase milk production.

Gitonga said the cooperative has recorded remarkable growth over the last three years, with membership rising from 11,012 farmers in 2023 to 161,874 currently.

He added that daily milk intake has increased from 287,000 litres to 670,000 litres, while the number of affiliated cooperative societies has grown from 139 to 168.

According to the CEO, annual sales rose from Sh9.3 billion in 2023 to Sh20.1 billion in 2025 and are projected to reach Sh25 billion next year if the current growth trend is sustained.

He said the processing plant has a capacity of 720,000 litres per day and expressed confidence that milk deliveries will soon exceed that capacity, making expansion necessary.