Nandi County has taken decisive steps to transform its dairy sector, particularly in Tinderet Sub-County, where daily milk production has surged from 471,850 liters to 600,000 liters. Speaking on the progress, County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture and Cooperative Development, Dr. Kiplimo Lagat, credited the increase to the construction and equipping of 25 milk cooling plants by the county government and 16 more by farmer organizations. He urged cooperatives to focus on value addition, branding, and quality certification to enhance Nandi-branded products in local and regional markets.
The county also plans to establish a Cooperative Development Fund to finance essential equipment, transportation, and digital systems aimed at improving transparency, efficiency, and accountability within the societies. Dr. Lagat emphasized that smallholder farmers should shift from subsistence farming to agribusiness by leveraging cooperatives as key drivers of higher earnings. Farmers are encouraged to maintain highly productive dairy cows and embrace bulking to maximize profits while contributing to the county’s growing dairy output.
Residents and stakeholders have welcomed the initiatives, noting their potential to transform livelihoods. With increased production, better infrastructure, and digitization of operations, Nandi County aims to position itself as a leading dairy hub in Kenya. Officials anticipate that the sector’s growth will attract private investment, create employment, and enhance food security while ensuring farmers benefit from premium pricing and organized markets. The future outlook for the county’s dairy sector appears robust, with continued modernization and cooperative engagement expected to sustain growth and profitability.