Dairy farmers in Meru County are set to benefit from lower production costs and improved access to quality livestock feeds following the commissioning of a new animal feed manufacturing plant in Mitunguu, South Imenti Constituency.

Dairy Farmers in Meru to Benefit as New Animal Feed Mill Begins Production
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki commissions the Meru Maziwa Millers animal feed plant in Mitunguu, a facility expected to lower feed costs and increase dairy productivity in Meru and neighbouring counties.

The feed mill, owned by the Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union under the Meru Maziwa Millers brand, has already started producing animal feeds for dairy cattle, pigs and poultry. The project is expected to strengthen the dairy sector in Meru and neighbouring counties by providing affordable feeds and supporting increased milk production.

The company provided land for the project and invested Sh200 million towards the establishment of the factory in 2023. During the launch of the initiative, President William Ruto pledged an additional Sh100 million to support the development of the plant.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony on Saturday, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the Government had fulfilled the President’s pledge and announced another Sh100 million to support the second phase of expansion.

Kindiki said the factory would play a key role in reducing production costs for farmers by supplying dairy meal at subsidised prices.

The Deputy President said a 50-kilogram bag of dairy meal from the plant would retail at Sh2,800, compared to the current market price of approximately Sh3,200, offering significant savings to livestock farmers.

He said affordable animal feeds remain critical in improving dairy productivity and profitability, noting that reducing input costs would enable farmers to maximize milk production and increase household incomes.

Kindiki spoke during the 11th Annual Dairy Farmers Field Day held at the Meru Showground after officially commissioning the feed manufacturing facility in Mitunguu.

The Deputy President also highlighted Government interventions aimed at supporting dairy farmers, including the subsidisation of sexed semen. He noted that the cost of sexed semen, which stood at Sh7,000 when President Ruto took office, has now been reduced to Sh1,400, making improved breeding services more accessible to farmers.

He further announced that from August 1, dairy farmers supplying milk through formal channels will receive Sh52 per litre, up from Sh50, as part of efforts to improve farmer earnings.

Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Gitonga said dairy farmers should focus on improving productivity at farm level by adopting better feeding, breeding and management practices.

Gitonga highlighted the cooperative’s rapid growth over the past three years, noting that membership has expanded significantly.

According to the union, the number of registered farmers increased from 11,012 in 2023 to 161,874 currently, while milk intake rose from 287,000 litres to 670,000 litres per day.

The number of affiliated cooperative societies has also increased from 139 to 168, reflecting growing participation in organised dairy marketing.

Gitonga said the cooperative’s annual sales have more than doubled, increasing from Sh9.3 billion in 2023 to Sh20.1 billion last year, with projections indicating that sales could reach Sh25 billion this year.

He said the newly commissioned feed mill has the capacity to manufacture feeds for dairy cattle, pigs and poultry, helping meet the growing demand for quality livestock feeds across the region.

The cooperative is planning further expansion under phase two and phase three of the project. Future investments include the installation of an additional production line, grain silos and drying facilities to ensure a steady supply of raw materials.

Gitonga said the expanded facility will enable the company to serve farmers in Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi counties, where demand for livestock feeds continues to grow.

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the Government is working to increase access to sexed semen as part of broader efforts to improve dairy productivity and strengthen the country’s livestock sector.

Co-operatives and MSMEs Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya said the Government is preparing new legislation aimed at strengthening cooperative societies and improving governance within the sector.

He noted that poor management has contributed to the collapse of many cooperatives in the past and said the proposed Cooperative Bill will enhance accountability and protect farmers’ investments.

The commissioning of the Meru animal feed mill marks a significant investment in Kenya’s dairy industry and is expected to improve feed availability, lower production costs and increase returns for livestock farmers in the Mt Kenya region.

https://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Dairy-Farmers-in-Meru-to-Benefit-as-New-Animal-Feed-Mill-Begins-Production.webphttps://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Dairy-Farmers-in-Meru-to-Benefit-as-New-Animal-Feed-Mill-Begins-Production-150x150.webpFarmersTrendFarming Newsanimal feed mill Kenya,dairy cooperatives Kenya,dairy farming Kenya,dairy meal prices Kenya,Farmers Trend News,Kithure Kindiki,livestock farming Kenya,livestock feeds Kenya,Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union,Meru dairy farmers,Meru Maziwa Millers,milk production Kenya.,Mutahi Kagwe,sexed semen KenyaDairy farmers in Meru County are set to benefit from lower production costs and improved access to quality livestock feeds following the commissioning of a new animal feed manufacturing plant in Mitunguu, South Imenti Constituency.The feed mill, owned by the Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union under the Meru Maziwa...New Generation Culture in Agriculture