Bio Foods unveils Chaka Milk Hub to boost farmer earnings and quality

Hon. Omingo Magara of EuroDairy, Mr. Tsjalling Bles, CEO Bles Dairies, Ms. Mercy Mbogo, Director Kenya Dairy Board, Mr. James Nyutu, Group Managing Director Unga Group PLC,  Mr. Joachim Westerveld, Chairman & CEO Bio Food Products Limited, Mr. Kevin Kinisu, Managing Director African Biogas Program Ltd. (ABPL), Mr Jos Borger, Chief Of Staff Bio Food Products, Ms. Seema Gohil ,Director Safaricom Digifarm and H.E. Bart Pauwels, Agricultural Counselor of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, during the launch in Nyeri on November 5, 2025. /HANDOUT

Bio Foods Products Ltd has opened a new Milk Collection and Service Centre (MCSC) in Chaka, Nyeri County, in a move aimed at strengthening the dairy value chain and improving farmer incomes.

The centre was officially launched on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, during an event attended by key players in the dairy sector from Kenya and the Netherlands.

The delegation included Bio Foods Products Executive Chairman and CEO Joachim Westerveld, Bles Dairies CEO Tsjalling Bles, ABPL Managing Director Kevin Kinisu, Safaricom Digifarm Director Seema Gohil, Unga Group PLC Managing Director James Nyutu, Hon. Omingo Magara of EuroDairy, Mercy Mbogo from the Kenya Dairy Board, and the Agricultural Counselor of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Bart Pauwels.

H.E. Bart Pauwels, Agricultural Counselor of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Ms. Mercy Mbogo, Director Kenya Dairy Board, cut the ribbon during the launch in Nyeri on November 5, 2025. /HANDOUT

The partners said the centre is designed to address the long-standing challenges dairy farmers face, particularly the need for a central hub offering integrated services. Officials said the goal is to transform dairy farming into a more sustainable, profitable, and knowledge-driven enterprise.

H.E. Pauwels praised the collaboration, describing the new centre as a model of what joint efforts can achieve.

“This new milk collection and service center stands as a symbol of what partnership can achieve. This initiative brings together Dutch and Kenyan private companies, government institutions and knowledge partners all united by one goal,” he said.

“To make Kenyan Dairy Sector stronger, sustainable, and profitable.”

Mr. Joachim Westerveld, Chairman & CEO Bio Food Products Limited with other guests follow proceedings during the launch in Nyeri on November 5, 2025./HANDOUT

“Every dairy processor is now ready to endorse quality-based pricing. The moment you incentivize farmers, they will be interested in knowledge and learning,” he said.

He added that financing remains essential for smallholder farmers, noting that access to credit for feed and fodder will significantly increase milk output.

According to the organisers, it will provide access to high-quality animal feed and nutrition guidance, practical training on sustainable farm and herd management, and financial services to help farmers invest in their businesses.

It will also offer reliable market access and quality assurance systems designed to ensure farmers receive fair returns for their milk.

Beyond daily services, the facility will also act as a platform for innovation, research, and farmer-focused technologies aimed at building resilience and long-term sector growth.

During the launch, industry leaders stressed that dairy farmers remain at the heart of Kenya’s food security.

They said equipping producers with the right knowledge, tools, and market opportunities is essential for the country’s nutrition and economic stability.

The centre is expected to improve milk quality, enhance farming practices, and increase household incomes.

Officials said the project mirrors a shared belief among all partners: that a stronger dairy sector starts with empowered farmers who have access to the services they need to succeed.