News Categories: Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperative Development

In its pursuit to establish the first farmer-owned milk processing plant in the county, the County Government of Nandi through the department of Agriculture & Co-operative Development has begun to build  Capacity  by training Nandi County Dairy Farmers Cooperative Union board members. (NCDFCU).

The two day workshop whose aim is to accord an opportunity for union’s governing board to horn their manegerial skills and knowledge on cooperative union administration including financial management of their organization kicked off today.

While officially opening the training, CECM in charge of Trade, Investment & Industrialization Jacob Tanui urged the participants to leverage on the opportunity to learn how best they can manage value addition value of their produce to realize maximum profits along the dairy value chain.

The Chief Officer Co-operative Development Dr. Benadatte Tiony revealed that the workshop is intends to equip members with knowledge & requisite management skills to effectively & efficiently fast-track implementation process of the creameries.

According to a report by the co-operative department, the Nandi Dairy Farmers union currently boast of 41 registered primary cooperative societies across the county and enjoy a total membership of at least 50,000 people. The report also indicate that up to 60% of Nandi milk still goes to the informal market, reason why more farmers are urged to join cooperatives and channel their milk through the cooperative societies.

After the workshop, the CO revealed that the board members will formulate strategies on how to mobilize & sensitize primary cooperative societies towards pulling together and achieving the minimum threshold that will sustain the plant.

Dr. Tiony also noted that her department, through cooperates, has rolled out the subsidized AI program, heifer development & breeding programme among other extension services in a bid to boost levels of production.

Also present was the CO Agriculture Wilson Lelei who said that Agriculture department has adequately invested in the dairy value chain saying that one of the strategies that will improve milk production is the ongoing installation of milk coolers in all wards whereby 6 coolers are already installed and are operational.

The construction of Nandi Cooperatives Creameries (NCC) which will be situated in Kabiyet, Mosop Sub-County is currently under the tendering process.

Nandi Hekima Sacco Society has sought the intervention of the County Government of Nandi in following up recovery and financial resources lost through fraudulent means by the previous management.

Addressing the Chief Officer in Charge of Cooperative Development Dr. Bennadatte Tiony who paid a courtesy Visit to the Sacco’s offices in Kapsabet town on Wednesday, the Sacco’s Chief Executive Officer Valerie Sugut said that the organization with a membership of more than 2000 members has lost millions of money through corruption and high default rate by its borrowers.

She said that many cases had stagnated either in court or police and it was prudent for them to seek the County Government’s support in tracing the culprits.

On her part Cooperative CO Dr. Bennadate Tiony urged the Sacco’s management to follow the law in the running of the Society’s affairs to ensure that resources are prudently managed to the benefit of all the membership.

She further urged the society to partner with the County Government to upscale extension services in order to boost production levels in the dairy and the tea sectors.

She also reiterated the County Government’s efforts in providing quality dairy breeds through the Subsidized AI program to boost milk production in the County.

Today 22 January, Governor Sang was in the expansive ward of Songhor Soba inspecting and checking on the progress of development projects.

During his visit, he inspected the opening up of the new Cherondo-Uson-Kabirer road, a 6Km road that will open up more than 5 villages and ease movement of people and goods across the area.

The Governor said that he has resolved to personally inspect ongoing roadworks and other projects across the county to ensure that up to standard works are done.

He also had an opportunity to interact with residents from the area and listened to their concerns. He addressed public rallies at Cherondo and Kapkechui areas.

Sang also visited Seiyot Farmers Cooperative Society where he met stakeholders and farmers who benefited from the coffee seedlings distributed by the county. He said that his administration had distributed more than 200, 000 coffee seedlings to farmers.

He added that many projects are ongoing in the ward and across the entire Tindiret Sub County.

Some of the ongoing projects in Tindiret Sub County include

HEALTH SECTOR.

✅Chemase health centre Chemelil/Chemase
✅Poto poto dispensary chemelil/chemase
✅Chepkemel dispensary Tinderet
✅Kamelilo dispensary songhor/soba
✅Mombwo dispensary songhor/soba
✅Soba river dispensary songhor/soba
✅Kamelil dispensary Tinderet
✅Setek dispensary Tinderet
✅Meteitei sub county hospital songhor/soba

ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

✅Chemalal-makoi road
✅Chemase-Kapsigilai-Kibigori Junction Chemelil-Chamase
✅Emit-Kapcheplanget Chemelil/Chemase
✅All Saints-Kapkeno-Kipsiele Road Soba/Songor
✅Temso-Kimaren road
✅Chebarus-Matema road,
✅Savani Estate-Chepsire, –Kibwari junction- underit road Kapsimotwo Ward
✅Chemursoi-Miwani Tarmac Chemlil/ Chemase ward
✅Kiptenden-Chepkwelat-Tachasis Tinderet
✅Romorio- Mutumon Tinderet
✅Setek Centre- Olomotit Tinderet
✅Kibugat-Kipkoil- Salgaa Tinderet Ward
✅Maraba – St. Mathews-Tuiyobei Tinderet Ward
✅Koitab Muge-Chemalai- Kaminjeiwa Songhor/Soba
✅Kabutiei Bridge-Kolelach-Kamenjeiwa Songhor Soba

AGRICULTURE

✅Sato cattle dip chemelil/chemase
✅Kapsigilai cattle dip chemelil/chemase
✅Tabtengelei cattle dip Tinderet ward
✅Meteitei cattle dip Tinderet ward
✅Cheptilil cattle dip
✅Kapsimotwo ward
✅Kiptegaa cattle dip
✅kapsimotwo ward
✅Maraba cattle dip Songhor/Soba
✅Kamasai cattle dip Songhor/Soba
✅Distribution of more than 200,000 coffee seedlings to farmers
✅Construction of a Greenhouse to sokosik group
✅Distribution of Accaricides to more than 50 Cattle dips in the Sub County.
✅Employment of 4 AI officers and acquisition of 4 Motorcycles to the officers.

WATER PROJECTS

✅Poto Poto Dispensary Water Project chemelil/chemase
✅Atepwo Water Project Tinderet
✅Tulwapmoi Water Project Tinderet
✅Togomin Water Project Tinderet
✅Kimatkei/kipkoil Water Project Tinderet
✅Chelambut Water Project Tinderet
✅Ngariet Water Project Kapsimatwo
✅Kiptegaa Water Project Kapsimatwo
✅Chepsangor Water Project Kapsimatwo
✅Kiptebes Water Project Songhor/Soba
✅Mombwo Girls Sec Water Project Songhor/Soba
✅Kapsoen/Samutet/
✅Kaptebengwo Water Project Songhor/Soba
✅St.Peters sec and Primary school Water Project Songhor/Soba
✅chematich Water Project kapsimotwo
✅sitet/taunet Water Project Songhor/soba
✅kipsinende Water Project chemelil/chemase
✅chemutia Water Project chemelil/chemise
✅Lamaiywo Water Project chemelil/chemase
✅sarwat Water Project Tinderet

EDUCATION

✅Magoi ECDE chemelil/chemase
✅Kalyet ECDE chemelil/chemase
✅Sarwat ECDE Tinderet
✅Kimatkei ECDE Tinderet
✅Kaptebengwo ECDE songhor/soba
✅Morobi ECDE kapsimotwo
✅Chepkoiyo ECDE Kapsimotwo
✅kapruret ECDE songhor/soba
✅Equpping of Jean Mariey Seroney Youth Polythecnic
✅Equipping of Potopoto Youth Polythecnic

TRADE AND INVESTMENT

✅Maraba market establishment Songhor/Soba
✅Maraba market ablution block Songhor/soba
✅Poto Poto Boda Boda Shade Chemelil/Chemase
✅Boda Boda shades at Maraba centre Songhor/soba
✅Market stalls at Maraba centre Songhor/soba
✅Boda boda shades at Kibukwo Songhor soba ward

YOUTH AND SPORTS

✅Expansion works at Kimwani primary school field ✅Chemelil/Chemase
Expansion works at Senetwo primary school field Songhor/Soba

The County department of Agriculture & Co-operative Development through the directorate of vetinary services is determined to ensure that Artificial Insemination (AI) service providers across the county are well equipped to meet the required standards.

The main objective of the workshop is to build capacity of the AI service providers in order to enhance AI conception rates which will result to improved breeds and ultimately increased production of milk.

While opening the workshop on Thursday, Chief Officer Agriculture Wilson Lelei noted that his department is keen in transforming the dairy sector and therefore the refresher course of the inseminators was not only timely but also very necessary.

The Chief Officer urged the participants to leverage on the opportunity presented to them and sharpen their skills in order to improve on service deliver.

According to the directorate of vetinary services, over 12,000 cows have been served with the government subsidized AI semen across the county since July 2018.

This has been made possible by the hiring of 45 new service providers and acquisition of 45 new motorcycle for every service provider.

Dr. Samson Bitok, the director vetinary services, said that the training is aimed at ensuring 100% conception rates. “We want to ensure that we have quality AI service that will result in high conception rate and that will eventually give us good population of the next generation of good quality, high performance heifer/dairy herd in Nandi County.” said Dr. Bitok.

This, he adds, will ensure that milk supply meet the demand not only for Nandi Cooperative Creameries (NCC) set to be established but also for the external demands.

The subsidized Artificial Insemination semen are readily available for Ksh 2200 sexed semen and Ksh 600 local conventional semen.

Among the topics covered include semen production, semen handling and quality control, insemination technique and calf rearing among others.

#TransfprmingNandi

The County Government of Nandi is keen on supporting emerging cooperative societies and self-help groups venturing in agri-business.

Through the county department of Agriculture & Cooperative Development, the new cooperatives get essential support that include the provision of subsidized seeds & fertilizers, seedlings and capacity building. The Department is also helping to revive collapsed cooperative societies across the county.

Besides this, the county department of Agriculture & Cooperative Development is keen on empowering existing cooperatives and is rewarding the best performing cooperatives in the county. Already, a new coffee pulping machine has been allocated to Kapsaos-TaretMoi cooperative for their exemplary performance over the years.

On Tuesday, the Chief Officer for Agriculture Mr. Wilson Lelei visited Taunet Coffee Farmers Cooperative in Songor/Soba ward, Tindiret Sub-County. The first and fast-growing coffee growing society in Songor location with over 115 members already and therefore perfectly fits in the county government’s grand support scheme.

Mr. Lelei discussed in length with the management of Taunet Coffee Cooperative on areas the government can support the cooperative and assured them of government’s unwavering commitment.

Together with other government officials, the CO also attended a special gathering bringing together two self-help groups in the ward namely Kosachmwai which was formed in 2016 and specializes in potato farming and Kertai self-help group, a youthful self-group with focus on agri-business.

The two groups highlighted their achievements and challenges over the short period of operation before the chief officer. They also requested for government support including seedlings, trainings and linkages to development partners.

Mr. Steve Kiprop who accompanied the CO and represented the department of Youth Affairs challenged the members to come up with viable proposals and present them to relevant department for funding saying that the government of the day has a listening ear.

The Chief Officer lauded the two groups for embracing diversification and assured the members of government support to help boost their productivity. “We have partnered with national government through a programme called NARIPG where we will be funding proposals from groups to support their projects” said Mr. Lelei.

#TransformingNandi

The County Government of Nandi through the Department of Agriculture & Cooperative Development on Thursday issued 15,000 Avocado & 300 Tissue-Culture banana seedlings and 200Kg of coffee seeds to various cooperative societies from the county.

The department also gave out cheques worth Ksh. 6,100,000 to dairy cooperative societies through the Small-Holder Dairy Commercialization Programme (SDCP) Dairy Enterprise Grant support programme.

This is in line with the Governor’s mani festo and transformational agenda to empower farmers which also compliment the President’s Big Four Agenda on food security.

                Governor Stephen Sang

Mr. Sang said that his administration is effecting the diversification programme through allocation of more resources to agriculture sector which is the backbone of the county economy.

He added that his government is already expanding tea, coffee and banana farming by providing seeds to farmers as well as supporting them to venture into Avocado farming.

On her part, the Deputy Governor Dr. Yulita Mitei said that she is working hand in hand with the Governor to ensure that farmers needs are met.

         Deputy Governor Dr. Yulita Mitei

CECM Agriculture & Cooperative Development Dr. Kiplimo Araap Lagat said that Avocado farming, just like coffee, has a huge market and that his department is trying to secure part of it locally, regionally and Internationally.

       CEC Agriculture and Cooperative       Development Dr. Kiplimo Araap Lagat

 

“We have put in our budget the seed multiplication fund meant to increase seeds not only for Avocado but also other cash crops such as issue-culture banana, Macadamia, French Beans among others while still supporting other traditional crops such as tea and maize.” he said.

This, he says, is in a bid to boost food security in the country and empower farmers economically.

Farmers present at the event lauded the county government for always supporting them.

A team of engineers & other technical staff from the County department of Agriculture & Cooperative Development have today inspected the renovation work of Meteitei Dairy Farmers Co-operative society cooler structure; to assess its readiness & compliance with regulations for a milk cooler structure.

A 3000 ltr capacity milk cooler and a standby generator has already been delivered at the site and shall be installed and commissioned by the end of the year.

Nandi Governor Stephen Sang has today officially commissioned two milk coolers with a capacity of 3,000 litres each complete with a power backup panel to be used by Lolkeringet and Lelchego Dairy Cooperative Societies in a bid to cushion farmers against losses.

Speaking during the event, Governor Sang urged more farmers to join either cooperatives and utilize the facility to keep more milk fresh and retain vital nutrients.

Through such cooperatives, the Governor said farmers will achieve economies of scale that will boost their bargaining power and ensure that their products get higher market value.

Mr. Sang also advised farmers to embrace diversification and plant crops that yield more money such Avocado, Macadamia, French beans, Tissue-Culture Bananas, Pineapples, Coffee and Tea among other cash crop which has more and quick returns.

He said that neighboring Kisumu County, which is a fellow member in the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB), is a target market we are eying after value addition of our milk.

According to CECM in charge of Agriculture and Cooperative Development Dr Kiplimo Araap Lagat, the coolers have the capacity to bulk milk for longer period and hence will save farmers from wastage.

Dr Lagat revealed that his department has engaged development partners and has plans to roll out the ‘DigiFarm’ technology to digitize the entire agriculture value chain program with an aim of enriching the small-holder farmers.

This, he said, will boost extension services such as the recently launched subsidized Artificial Insemination (AI) programme, give dairy farmers access to more information and expand market for dairy products.

Also present were CECs Stanley Baliach and Eng. Hillary Koech, a few COs and County Assembly’s Committee on Agriculture led by the Chairman Hon. Willy Maru.

#TugaTai #TransformingNandi

Today over 60 fish farmers drawn from different Aquaculture Cooperative Societies across the county received training on fish farming, harvesting and value addition.

Farmers learning the seining process.

Presiding over the training, County deputy Director of Fisheries Ms. Judith Muya underscored the importance of fish farming in empowering unemployed generation and vulnerable groups. Ms. Muya took farmers not only through economic value of fish and aquaculture systems but also through its rich nutrition value.

The training which was held at Chepkuyuk Ward was meant to impart fish farmers with requisite skills and knowledge as well as mitigating barriers faced by fish farmers, traders and processors.

Mr Lameck Menya, a fish expert from the University of Eldoret took participants through the process of seining fish, primary processing and filleting of catfish (which has low bone content compared to Nile tilapia) and cooking.

Mr Lameck Menya demonstrating the filleting process

Director of Fisheries Mr. David Kemboi hinted that the County Government has plans to set up a hatchery unit to breed more fingerlings that will then be sold to farmers at a subsidized price in a bid to enhance food security.

He also lauded Mr Isaac Choge, a distinguisged fish farmer who hosted today’s training at his farm and urged farmers to take up the venture seriously like Mr Choge. #TransformingNandi

County Government of Nandi through the Department of Agriculture and Cooperative Development in collaboration with Nandi County Dairy Farmers Cooperative Union (NDFCU), is working towards concession with local milk processors to bargain for better milk prices on behalf of farmers.

According to experts in dairy sector, the market price of milk is always the engine/determinant of production. A good pay equals more production, and without good prices, then expect less production. Locally, the cost of milk production has in recent times tremendously increased to a point that the profit margin of a bottled water is almost higher compared to that of bottled milk.

While co-chairing the negotiations meeting with representatives from Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) and Kabianga Dairy Premier Limited, Chief Officer in charge of Cooperative Development Dr. Benedette Tiony said that it is always very important that farmers invest and reinvest in a business that makes sensible returns.

In addition, Dr Tiony said that the department has put in place measures to help farmers increase production and has already rolled out a subsidized Artificial Insemination (AI) program and other extension services. “We are also putting resources to strengthen cooperatives through which more farmers will benefit”, she added.

After their first meeting, both the board and the processors agreed that the farmer is taking home very little after toiling and there was need to sit down, bring on board other stakeholders and review the prices.
On his part, the Chief Officer for Agriculture Mr. Wilson Lelei said that the plan to have a farmer-owned milk processing plant in Nandi that will ensure a stable year-out milk price is on course.

NDFCU Chairperson Mr. Abraham Rugut is set announce the success of these negotiations to farmers after engaging other processors and as soon as the new rates are agreed and enacted in due course.