Bio Foods Products has taken a leading role towards the
production of quality milk to secure the future of Kenya’s dairy sector.
As part of the initiative, the company hosted the Farmers
Summit 2024 themed 'Transforming Kenyan Dairy' with emphasis on the importance of
innovation, sustainability, and milk quality.
The two-day event brought together key stakeholders in the
dairy sector, including farmers, government representatives, private-sector
leaders, and development partners.
“Transforming Kenyan dairy is about more than just
increasing production; it’s about creating a sustainable ecosystem where
farmers thrive, consumers enjoy quality products and the environment is
protected,” Bio Foods CEO, Joachim Westerveld said.
The summit highlighted efforts to improve livelihoods
through climate-resilient initiatives, innovative dairy practices, and quality-based
pricing.
It also showcased government-led initiatives including the
procurement of 230 milk coolers for distribution across 40 counties starting
March next year to ensure safe and high-quality milk reaches processors.
“This summit reflects our commitment to these values and
underscores the critical role of collaboration in achieving these goals”, Westerveld
added.
Mumberes Cooperative chairman Isaac Tubei, stated,
expressed appreciation to Bio Foods for their relentless drive for quality milk
production in the country.
“They have not only raised the bar but have also ensured that
farmers are compensated fairly for the effort and investment they make in producing
top quality, premium milk,” he said.
Principal Secretary in the State Department of Livestock
Development, Jonathan Mueke, said the government aims to support milk producers
across 40 counties through the procurement of the 230 milk coolers.
Starting in March 2025, he said the initiative will empower farmers
to deliver higher-value products to processors and enhance milk safety and
quality.
During a visit to the Fodder Project in Endebess, Bio Foods
and Lato Milk in partnership with Bles Dairys officially announced the harvest
of over 220 acres of precision-cut maize silage.
The fodder project is part of the Kenya Livestock Sector
Steering Committee, chaired by Mueke,
The vision of the project was to reduce milk production
costs—especially during dry seasons—and increase yields by up to 30 per cent.
Through low feed costs and improved milk quality, the
project aims to boost profitability for farmers.
Bio Food said the high-quality maize silage is now
available to farmers and cooperatives at an affordable rate, alongside
management support to help farmers maximise its benefits.
The Kenya Dairy Board commended the project with managing director, Margaret Kibogy, saying it’s key to achieving long-term growth in the dairy sector.
“As we implement quality-based payment systems and scale
capacity for milk testing, we are building a sector that prioritizes consumer
safety and farmer empowerment,” Kibogy said.
Kenya Dairy Board chairman, Genesio Mugo said the adoption
of quality-based milk pricing is pivotal for the industry.
Processors will need to prioritise this, driving an overall
improvement in the dairy sector’s competitiveness and value addition
potential.”
The summit concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to collaborate in implementing quality-based pricing, scaling climate resilient practices, and expanding access to milk cooling infrastructure.