Milk Boom in Drought-prone RegionMonday, 23 May 2011 00:00

By Wanyoike Njuguna, Kenya Today

Cotton once thrived in the Ukambani region in the ‘70s when farmers used co-operativesocieties  in marketing the produce to ginneries.Cotton farming then declined  before the end of that decade, but the Saccos survived aftermembers turned to dairy farming.

With the drought-prone  region viewed as unsuitable for dairy farming, members of cottonco-operative societies rejected  the stereotyping and ventured into the business full-throttle.

Others who ventured into other business activities shifted to dairy farming, marking the birth ofthe Wamunyu and Masii farmers’ co-operative societies.

After years of competition for market, the co-operatives that are located in a geographicalradius of seven kilometers, have coalesced into a federation that will help reduce operationalcosts and ensure more income for members.

Joshua Wambua, the manager of the new union, says the new approach has been supportedby the Swedish Co-operatives Centre (SCC) that has funded the acquisition of two coolers.

The two facilities have been installed at Machakos and Kitui towns, the main market outlets forproduce from Masii and Wamunyu societies.Wambua says the two societies have a joint membership of 2,586 and a combined share capitalof Sh7.5 million.

The unions annual milk production stands at 760,000 litres, with Wamunyu accounting for570,000 litres annually, says the manager.The idea of an alliance was conceived after challenges that the co-operatives experienced asthey competed for markets in Kitui and Machakos at high operations costs.

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Milk Boom in Drought-prone RegionMonday, 23 May 2011 00:00

“High transport costs, inadequate chilling capacity, unfair competition, fluctuating milk intakeand high cost of inputs were the main problems facing the rival societies,” says Wambua.

Carrying small volumes from the depot to Kitui and Machakos below carrying capacities of thevehicles was an operational loss that reinforced the need to form an alliance to tackle the issue.

On realising that farmers were suffering due to operational costs and low returns, the societiesapproached a US-based dairy firm, Land O’Lakes, that advised them to conduct joint activitiesfor better returns.

Wambua says several consultative meetings linked the federation to Swedish Co-operativesCentre before the International Labour Organisation (ILO) called for proposals.

“ILO gave Sh5.2 million to finance a joint marketing initiative that entailed purchase of chillingfacilities with capacity of 3,200 litres each,” says the manager.

Speaking at the installation of chilling tanks at Kalundu market in Kitui, Danson Mwatu, adirector at Wamunyu Farmers, says Land O’Lakes provided Sh1 million through the UnitedStates Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Mwatu, a long-serving member of the society, says to ensure ownership of the plants, thesocieties provided Sh2.8 million to make the depots operational and help expand the market.

“The market for milk is high and we have not satisfied demands because residents at Mutomo,Zombe, Mutito and Yatta do not have adequate supplies,” says Mwatu.

The viability of the sector in the semi-arid area has been confirmed by assurances from theministries of livestock production and co-operatives development.

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Milk Boom in Drought-prone RegionMonday, 23 May 2011 00:00

George Wanjala, an official of the Kenya Dairy Board Nairobi South office says the region is anemerging dairy area that requires proper strategy to tap its potential.

Wanjala says the amalgamation of the two unions should be developed to enable members tobuy shares in New KCC once the body is fully privatised.

He says dependence on rain-fed farming does not augur well and milk production duringdrought seasons should not be allowed.“A feed manufacturing plant can procure maximum returns for farmers who have to bededicated to the sector that requires strict attention,” says Wanjala.

Benson Muthua, a director at Masii Farmers’ Society, says the issue of water and animalsfeeds has been taken care of through training and input of the Veterinary Department.

“We have been trained on the proper acaricides to use and symptoms of diseases associatedwith dairy cattle that are more prone to diseases,” says Muthua.

The director says water harvesting measures have been stepped up to ensure animals do notsuffer thirst that may lead to reduced milk yields.

He says roof water harvesting and sinking boreholes, constructing shallow wells and surfacedams has guaranteed adequate supply.The Eastern Provincial Co-operatives Officer, Mr David Obonyo, says there is great potentialin the dairy sub-sector in Lower Eastern region and called for value addition for extra income.

Obonyo says the sub-sector was vital in employment creation and urged the youth to joinco-operative societies. “We need affirmative action to entrench the youth in the co-operativemovement so that no only the older generation is left in the co-operatives,” says Obonyo.

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Milk Boom in Drought-prone RegionMonday, 23 May 2011 00:00

A Deputy Commissioner of Co-operatives, Mr Patrick Musyimi, says the new federation shouldaspire to establish a plant to compete with private firms.

Musyimi cited Meru, Limuru and Githunguri diaries that were started by farmers but havebecome reputable production institutions. The amalgamation of the societies and installation oftwo coolers will promote reduced operational overheads and translate into more income for members.

It is expected that dairy farmers such as Willy Lumumba Masila, who quit the business toventure into milk production, will realise higher benefits.

Ms Margaret Munuve said the use of cooling tanks at Kalundu market will guarantee hygieneunlike in the past when a cup was used to scoop milk from a pot.

“Milk will be available for purchase at any time of the night and we shall no longer have to waituntil it is delivered in the morning by a pick-up truck,” Ms Munuve, a trader, says.

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