Farmers In Uasin Gishu Smile As County And New KCC Launch Pakchong Super Napier Distribution To Boost Milk Production
By Gladys Yator | NAIROBI,
Farmers in Uasin Gishu have a reason to smile after the County Government, in partnership with New Kenya Cooperative Creameries, officially launched the distribution of Pakchong Super Napier cuttings to dairy farmers in a bold move aimed at strengthening fodder production and increasing milk yields across the county.
Speaking during the launch at the New KCC premises in Eldoret, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Agribusiness, Livestock Development and Fisheries, Dr Sam Kotut, lauded the initiative, noting that with proper agronomic practices, Pakchong Super Napier can yield between 180 and 200 tonnes per acre annually, significantly improving feed availability.
He urged farmers to plan early for the dry season, observing that milk production often drops due to inadequate fodder and limited knowledge of feed planning and conservation.
Dr Kotut reiterated the Governor’s plan to roll out 22 Farm Bonds per ward to strengthen farmers’ capacity and promote sustainable dairy farming practices. He also revealed that last year, through the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project, the county planted 56 acres of Pakchong Super Napier to support smallholder farmers.
Managing Director of New KCC, Joseph Choge, described the initiative as a win win partnership focused on sustainability and growth of the dairy sector by ensuring milk is produced throughout the year.
“This distribution is specifically targeting our dairy cooperative societies who supply milk to KCC. We want our farmers to produce milk consistently throughout the year, not only during the rainy seasons,” Choge said.
He noted that equipping cooperatives with high yield Pakchong Super Napier will strengthen fodder availability at the grassroots level.
“When our cooperatives are stable and productive, farmers earn more, milk volumes increase, and we secure a reliable supply chain for New Kenya Cooperative Creameries,” he added.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Commodity Market Exchange, Jacob Maaga, emphasized the need for structured markets to guarantee fair pricing, reliable market access and income stability for dairy farmers.
The officials later visited a large scale dairy farmer in Tembelio Ward, Moiben Sub County, where they assessed fodder production and dairy management practices, reaffirming the county’s commitment to improving productivity and enhancing farmer incomes.
