NAKURU, DAIRY PRODUCTION

Saki Youth Group comprises of beneficiaries of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries’ National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) dairy goat rearing programme that seeks to improve the livelihoods of women and youth groups in rural parts of Nakuru.

Members of the youth group, according to the Chairperson Ms Ruth Namale, have also received training on home-based manufacture of value-added goat products such as pasteurized milk, yoghurt, butter and cheese.

She says Goat milk production is a good source of income and an avenue to improve rural areas’ economy as consumer acceptance of goat milk and its products is growing.

The group is also venturing into value addition to tap into the expanding local market.

Meanwhile, more than 1,000 farmers have been trained on dairy feed formulation using the locally available raw materials so that they may have a more pocket-friendly, alternative for animal feed.

Agricultural extension officers were also among residents who have benefited alongside animal feed manufacturers in Molo Sub-County where National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) has pumped Shs 14 million for training and procurement of animal feed formulation machinery and equipment for cooperative societies to help boost profitability in milk production.

The venture which is part of the Sh21 billion National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project (NARIGP) aimed at supporting 21 counties also aims to get rid of unscrupulous animal feed traders and manufacturers who have been selling adulterated feeds.