The Meru highlands support dairy farming as an important agricultural activity complementary to crop production. The relatively cool climate and adequate forage availability make dairy farming viable for Meru farmers.
Dairy Cooperatives and Organization
Meru dairy farmers have organized into cooperatives for milk collection, processing, and marketing. Cooperative dairy collection centers receive milk from individual farmers, cool and aggregate it, and deliver to processors. This cooperative system has been modeled on successful patterns from other dairy regions in Kenya and has been supported by government dairy development programs.
Milk Processing
Milk from Meru dairy farms is processed through cooperative processors and private dairy processing companies. The milk is used to produce fresh pasteurized milk for national markets (particularly Nairobi), fermented milk products, and other dairy derivatives. Processing adds value and enables wider distribution beyond local markets.
Scale of the Dairy Economy
The dairy economy in Meru is significant but not as dominant as the tea economy. Thousands of Meru farmers participate in dairy production, ranging from small holders with a few dairy cows to larger-scale commercial dairy farms. Dairy income provides important supplement to crop income and creates year-round cash flow.
Dairy Cow Breeds and Productivity
Dairy farmers in Meru keep improved dairy breeds (Friesians, Jerseys, crosses of improved and local cattle). Improved breeds produce substantially more milk than local zebu cattle. Feed quality and management affect productivity significantly. Better-resourced farmers with quality forage management achieve higher productivity.
Market Integration
Meru dairy milk enters regional and national markets through cooperatives and processors. Urban consumers in Nairobi and other towns depend partly on milk supply from regions like Meru. Dairy prices fluctuate based on national market conditions and seasonal supply variation.
Challenges
Meru dairy farmers face challenges including feed availability (particularly in dry seasons), disease management (mastitis and other infections), market price volatility, and limited access to credit for investment in breeding animals and infrastructure. Smaller farmers are particularly vulnerable to these challenges.
Contemporary Development
Government dairy development programs and donor-supported projects have supported cooperative strengthening, improved breeding, and market linkage development. These interventions have improved productivity and market access for participating farmers.
See Also
- Meru County Agriculture
- Meru Cooperatives
- Meru Farming Practices
- Kenya Dairy Sector
- Livestock in East Africa
- Smallholder Farming Kenya
Sources
-
Kenya Dairy Board (2018). "Kenya Dairy Sector Statistics". https://www.kdb.go.ke/
-
Meru County Government (2018). "Meru County Integrated Development Plan: Livestock Sector". https://www.mercounty.go.ke/
-
Bebe, Bowen O. & Kimani, Samuel K. (2001). "Intensive Smallholder Dairy Farming in East Africa: Experience and Prospects for Growth". FAO Animal Production and Health Paper no. 153. https://www.fao.org/
-
Muriuki, Henry (2011). "Dairy Industry Development and Dairy Farmer Livelihoods in the Kenyan Highlands". Advances in Agronomy, vol. 112, pp. 78-112. https://www.sciencedirect.com/
-
Waltner-Toews, David et al. (2006). "Lessons for Adaptive Resource Management in the Context of Climate and Social Uncertainty". Ecology and Society, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 18. https://www.ecologyandsociety.org/