Meru dairy farmers hope to double production after Sh1b Credit Bank boost

Meru dairy farmers have expressed optimism of doubling their milk production from 300,000 to 600,000 litres per day, after the Credit Bank announced plans to support them with Ksh 1 billion worth of loans.

This will also enable the milk product range increase from milk and yoghurt to incorporate 8 more milk products.

This was announced during the fifth Annual Dairy Farmers Open Day in Meru that saw over 20,000 of farmers participate. The ceremony was officially opened by the Cabinet Secretary Agriculture Mwangi Kiunjuri, who congratulated the input of Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union into the agricultural sector in Kenya.

The Union was formed in 2005 to market the excess milk from the local farmers which is now the main society of milk farmers in the Mount Kenya region, consisting of over 43,000 dairy farmers and generating a turnover of over Ksh 4.8 billion annually.

“Currently the bank is partnering with the farmers and the union to support acquisition through financing and insuring the machinery, building and livestock. This will effectively eliminate the losses that have been eminent in case of diseases in livestock, machinery in case of power shortage,” said Isaac Thuiya, the local branch manager for Credit Bank.