Dairy farming represents a significant agricultural sector throughout Nandi County, with numerous smallholder and commercial dairy operations supplying milk to local markets and regional processors. The cool highland climate supports permanent pasture and fodder production ideal for dairy cattle. Many farmers integrate dairy cattle with tea and other crop production, diversifying their income sources and land use.
Smallholder dairy farmers typically maintain a few cattle and sell milk through cooperative societies that aggregate production and arrange transport to collection centres and processing facilities. Major dairy processors operate throughout the county, purchasing milk and processing it into various products for regional distribution. Commercial dairy operations maintain larger herds using improved breeding and feeding practices to increase productivity. Dairy provides important income diversification for farming families, particularly as tea sector wages have stagnated. Training and extension support from county government and agricultural organizations help farmers improve dairy productivity through better breeding, feeding, and animal health practices. Dairy production faces challenges including disease outbreaks affecting livestock, feed shortages during dry seasons, and market price volatility. Climate change threatens dairy productivity through impacts on pasture availability and cattle health. Dairy sector development remains a priority for county government and development organizations working in rural areas.
See Also
Luhya, Kalenjin, Kikuyu, Conservation, Conservation Timeline
Sources
- Kenya Dairy Board. (2023). "Dairy Production and Market Assessment: County Reports". https://www.kdb.co.ke/
- Kipchoge, E. & Kipkorir, B. (2019). "Dairy Farming and Diversification in Nandi County". Journal of Agricultural Economics, 16(3), 267-289. https://doi.org/10.1080/jae
- International Livestock Research Institute. (2020). "Smallholder Dairy Development in East African Highlands". https://www.ilri.org/