Baringo: The largest farmers' cooperative society in Baringo County has reported a drastic decline in milk production across the highland areas. Speaking during an educational meeting at Katimok coffee factory ground in Baringo North Sub County, Tugen Hills farmers' cooperative society secretary, Mark Yatich, attributed the decline for the past three years to farmer-level practices and lack of county government support in the dairy sub-sector.

According to Kenya News Agency, the society, which serves farmers in the higher cooler zones of the county, recorded a drop in milk production from 86,000 litres in 2024 to 22,000 litres by June this year. Yatich warned that if the situation persists, they will not have any other choice but to close the main dairy unit in Kabarnet town, which has consistently been supplying milk to most eateries at the county headquarters up to Marigat Township and a number of institutions across the county.

The Sacco's secretary, while addressing more than 300 farmers, called on dairy sector stakeholders to play their role so as to increase productivity. Yatich said the society is teaming up with partners in a bid to upgrade local cattle breeds of its members in order to increase milk volume and in turn improve farm profitability. 'We do not have subsidized artificial insemination services within Baringo North and Central, and farmers are dependent on commercial services whose prices are very high, while the rest rely on local bulls with reduced production,' he said.

Haron Kemei, who is in charge of the dairy section at the society, apart from discouraging free-ranching, urged the county administration to support subsidizing animal feeds, which he noted was also a contributing factor to the low production within the region.

County Cooperative development officer, James Maina, on his part urged elderly coffee farmers from the county to allocate small portions of land to young people and women in order to address rampant family conflicts due to economic exclusion. Maina pointed out that some youth and women from the region are not benefiting from coffee farming, yet they are the ones who often provide the labour on the farms.

Vice chairperson, Sam Too, lauded the large turnout of members for the educational meeting which he said has positively impacted them in solving their perennial challenges. He pledged to organize more of such forums at the grassroots, where farmers will be taught by experts in order for them to adopt modern techniques and ensure they derive maximum yields and incomes.