Eight government-supported milk coolers in Elgeyo Marakwet are helping more than 15,500 dairy farmers reduce post-harvest losses, preserving 11.3 million litres of milk valued at KSh 544.44 million annually.

Elgeyo Marakwet Dairy Farmers Save KSh 544 Million as Government Milk Coolers Reduce Post-Harvest Losses
Principal Secretary for Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke meets Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich to review the impact of government-supported milk coolers and ongoing livestock projects aimed at improving dairy farming and reducing post-harvest milk losses.

More than 15,500 dairy farmers in Elgeyo Marakwet County are benefiting from government-supported milk cooling infrastructure that is significantly reducing post-harvest milk losses and improving returns from dairy farming.

Principal Secretary for the State Department for Livestock Development, Hon. Jonathan Mueke, CBS, said the county’s eight milk coolers are preserving an estimated 11.3 million litres of milk every year, preventing losses valued at approximately KSh 544.44 million.

The Principal Secretary made the remarks after hosting Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich, who shared positive feedback on the impact of the cooling facilities on dairy farming across the county.

According to Mr. Mueke, the milk coolers have strengthened the dairy value chain by enabling farmers to preserve milk quality after collection, reducing spoilage and ensuring more milk reaches processors and consumers.

Milk cooling infrastructure plays a critical role in dairy production by maintaining milk quality immediately after milking. Without proper cooling, milk deteriorates rapidly, leading to significant losses for farmers, cooperatives and processors.

The Government has continued investing in milk cooling facilities as part of broader efforts to strengthen dairy value chains, improve farmer incomes and enhance food security.

During the meeting, the two leaders also reviewed the progress of projects being implemented under the Kenya Livestock Commercialization Project (KeLCoP).

The discussions focused on ongoing investments in water pans, livestock sale yards and boreholes, which are expected to improve access to water, strengthen livestock marketing systems and enhance resilience among livestock farming communities.

The Kenya Livestock Commercialization Project is designed to improve livestock productivity while increasing market access and supporting sustainable livestock-based livelihoods, particularly in pastoral and mixed farming areas.

Mr. Mueke reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to working closely with county governments to implement projects that directly benefit livestock keepers across the country.

He said collaboration between the national and county governments remains essential in delivering practical investments that strengthen livestock production, reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmer profitability.

The success of the milk cooling facilities in Elgeyo Marakwet demonstrates the importance of investing in agricultural infrastructure that addresses challenges experienced by farmers after production. By reducing milk wastage, the facilities help increase marketable volumes, improve product quality and strengthen the competitiveness of Kenya’s dairy industry.

As the Government continues to expand investments through initiatives such as the Kenya Livestock Commercialization Project, more livestock farmers are expected to benefit from improved infrastructure, better market access and increased opportunities to grow their incomes.

https://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Elgeyo-Marakwet-Dairy-Farmers-Save-KSh-544-Million-as-Government-Milk-Coolers-Reduce-Post-Harvest-Losses-1024x683.jpghttps://farmerstrend.co.ke/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Elgeyo-Marakwet-Dairy-Farmers-Save-KSh-544-Million-as-Government-Milk-Coolers-Reduce-Post-Harvest-Losses-150x150.jpgFarmersTrendFarming Newsdairy cooperatives Kenya,dairy farming Kenya,dairy infrastructure Kenya,Elgeyo Marakwet dairy farmers,Farmers Trend News,Jonathan Mueke,KeLCoP,Kenya Livestock Commercialization Project,livestock development Kenya,livestock projects Kenya,milk coolers Kenya,milk post-harvest losses,milk preservation Kenya,Wisley RotichEight government-supported milk coolers in Elgeyo Marakwet are helping more than 15,500 dairy farmers reduce post-harvest losses, preserving 11.3 million litres of milk valued at KSh 544.44 million annually.More than 15,500 dairy farmers in Elgeyo Marakwet County are benefiting from government-supported milk cooling infrastructure that is significantly reducing post-harvest...New Generation Culture in Agriculture