Milk Processing Plant to be Put up in Kakamega County

Equity Bank has collaborated with a Dutch investor from Netherlands to fund dairy farmers in Kakamega county with Sh.9 billion to set up an ultra-modern milk processing plant.

A mega ultra-modern milk processing plant is set to be put up in Malava Constituency that will cost Sh.7 billion which will also be used as a training and sensitization facility to farmers on the best dairy farming practices.

The milk processing plant is already on its advanced stage and all plans are in place. Equity Bank has promised to give out Sh.2 billion that will mainly be used in purchasing of dairy cows for the farmers. The money is to be given to farmers in terms of soft loans according to arrangements between the county government of Kakamega and the bank.

All farmers and households in the county are expected to own at least one cow by the year 2025 through an initiative programme. A total of 600 cows have been bought that will be issued out to a selected number of farmers from different wards within the county. Each ward will receive 10 cows.

An expert dispatched by the ditch investor is already on the ground the ensure that everything is in place before starting work on the selected site. This project is going to create job opportunities to at least 5000 youths in the county, which is a positive move. Farmers will also be in a position to exploit modern methods of dairy farming that will lead to increased milk production and a major boost to the county’s economy.

Many farmers in the county have concentrated mainly on maize farming leaving dairy farming to a small number of people. A lot of awareness needs to be put in place so as to make them understand that dairy farming is equally profitable as maize farming. They will be in a position to generate income from milk and meat.

Article by Vera Shawiza.