Principal Secretary for Co-operatives Development, Patrick Kilemi, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening Kenya’s cooperative sector as a key driver of rural economic transformation and agricultural growth.
Earlier on Tuesday, the PS received a courtesy call from the leadership of Olkalou Dairy Co-operative Society, who were accompanied by Moses Kuria, for high-level discussions focused on the development and sustainability of the dairy industry.
The meeting centered on the critical role of cooperatives in strengthening the dairy sector, improving farmer incomes and advancing inclusive rural development. Both sides underscored the importance of cooperative institutions in organizing farmers, improving market access and ensuring fair returns for dairy producers.
Key discussions also explored opportunities across the dairy value chain, including milk production, aggregation, processing, value addition and market expansion. The leaders noted that strengthening these linkages is essential in improving efficiency, enhancing competitiveness and ensuring that farmers earn higher and more stable incomes.
PS Kilemi emphasized that a well-structured dairy value chain is central to transforming the sector into a modern, competitive and farmer-driven industry. He noted that cooperatives such as Olkalou Dairy continue to demonstrate how strong institutional frameworks can improve livelihoods while contributing significantly to national economic growth.
He further highlighted that the government remains committed to supporting reforms, policies and strategic investments aimed at strengthening cooperatives across the country. According to the PS, empowering cooperatives is key to unlocking productivity, improving value addition and expanding market opportunities for farmers.
Olkalou Dairy Co-operative Society was commended for its continued role in demonstrating the impact of strong cooperative institutions in rural development, particularly in enhancing income stability and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
The engagement comes at a time when Kenya is intensifying efforts to boost agricultural value addition and strengthen farmer organizations as part of broader economic transformation under the Bottom-Up Economic Agenda.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepen collaboration between government and cooperative institutions to ensure long-term growth and sustainability in the dairy sector.
Author: Moureen Koech
Moureen Koech is a passionate Digital Journalist, an adept Agribusiness Writer with a keen eye for news and an impactful story-teller,whose stories provide key value to Agripreneurs and stakeholders in the Agricultural sector
