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State supplies Meru dairy farmers with 1,000 doses of semen

Farmers will buy the semen at Sh1,400 down from Sh7,000

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by ALICE WAITHERA

Central14 July 2025 - 09:30
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In Summary


  • The union is an umbrella of 104 dairy co-operative societies serving thousands of Meru farmers.
  • Farmers had raised concerns over the high costs that hampered their attempts to improve the quality of their dairy  breeds.
Meru Governor Mutuma M'Ethingia (third left) with farmers from Meru Dairy Cooperative Union receive 1,000 doses of sexed semen

The national government has delivered an initial batch of 1,000 subsidised sexed semen doses to Meru Dairy Cooperative Union in a bid to increase milk production.

The move will see farmers buy the semen for Sh1,400 from  Sh7,000.

The co- union is an umbrella for 104 dairy cooperative societies serving thousands of Meru farmers.

President William Ruto, who attended the co-operative union’s 10th farmers’ field day earlier this year, had pledged to lower prices of sexed semen to help farmers earn more income and increase their production.

The farmers had raised concerns over the high costs that hampered their attempts to improve the quality of their dairy breeds.

"This is a game changer for our farmers and the entire dairy value chain in Meru county as it will revolutionise livestock breeding and support dairy farmers,” Governor Mutuma M'Ethingia said.

While receiving the doses from Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre managing director Bernadette Misoi, the governor said the move will see farmers realise higher returns by encouraging the use of advanced breeding technologies.

“The KAGRC aims to distribute 100,000 doses of sexed semen annually and continues to drive advancements in animal genetics to enhance milk yield and overall productivity,” the governor said.

Governor M'Ethingia emphasised the need to involve youth in dairy farming to ensure long-term sustainability, create employment opportunities, and increase farmers' earnings.

He underscored the role played by livestock farming in driving rural economies and supporting the national government, adding that it is a source of wealth for many farmers.

The county has also received 15,000 doses of livestock vaccines, with the governor announcing that vaccination efforts have begun.

The government has also provided 29 milk coolers to local dairy cooperatives, further strengthening the collective efforts of stakeholders to boost the sector and safeguard livelihoods.

“As the Meru county government, we remain committed to partnering with the national government to foster knowledge sharing, drive agricultural transformation, and deliver lasting development.

“Agriculture is our heritage and economic backbone. It creates opportunities across the value chain, from farm to factory, and we are steadfast in supporting our farmers and securing Meru's future,” he said.

He lauded the President for helping establish a Sh100 million livestock feeds factory in 2023 that has eased access to good quality feeds for farmers.

Such initiatives, M'Ethingia said, directly address the challenges facing the sector, including the high cost of animal feeds which affects productivity.

“The President had pledged to add an additional Sh100 million this year to enhance the factory,” M'Ethingia said.

Meru dairy co-operative union has raised its production from 406,000 litres daily in 2023 to 506,000 litres last year and 620,000 litres this year.

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