Kenyan dairy farmers seek feed tax relief amid milk shortage

KENYA – Dairy farmers in Gatanga, Murang’a County, have urged the government to cut animal feed taxes and strengthen cooperative laws, as high production costs and declining milk supplies pressure the country’s dairy sector.

The farmers raised their concerns during the launch of government-provided milk coolers in Kigio, saying expensive feed was reducing their earnings and making dairy farming less profitable. 

They also called for more veterinary officers to improve livestock health and sustain milk production.

The demands come amid a national squeeze on milk supply. The Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) reported that formal milk deliveries to processors fell by 3.7%, from 84.4 million litres in June to 81.3 million litres in July 2026. 

The board attributed the decline to dry and cold weather that reduced pasture and fodder availability, with preliminary figures indicating a further drop in August. 

Feed costs are adding to the pressure. At the Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers’ conference in July, the government said it planned to implement a KSh465 billion (US$3.6 billion) National Feed Strategy over 10 years to improve feed availability, quality and affordability. 

Officials identified a national feed deficit, low forage productivity, costly raw materials, and post-harvest losses as key challenges. 

Planned measures include expanding pasture and fodder production, developing priority feed value chains and exploring a strategic national feed reserve. 

The government has also invested in milk handling infrastructure. In September, it handed over 12 bulk milk coolers worth KSh87.94 million (approximately US$681,000) to Murang’a dairy cooperatives. 

The equipment is expected to benefit more than 18,000 farmers, handle over 37,000 litres of milk daily and reduce post-harvest losses.

However, farmers say infrastructure alone will not address the challenges facing dairy production. 

They want cooperative laws amended to prevent processors from buying milk directly from individual farmers, arguing that direct purchasing weakens cooperative societies. 

John Waweru, head of the cooperative dairy sector, called for legislation requiring processors to buy through cooperatives.

The proposal comes amid wider concerns about cooperative performance. In September, some Murang’a farmers reported delayed payments from their cooperative, saying this had forced them to sell milk to private buyers.

Farmers in Gatanga also raised concerns about limited access to veterinary officers, whose services are important for disease control, animal health and productivity. 

The Kenya Veterinary Association has separately called for increased government investment in veterinary services, citing funding and workforce challenges.

The farmers’ calls highlight the need to address feed affordability, animal health, and milk marketing, alongside investments in cooling infrastructure, as Kenya works to stabilise supplies and improve dairy farmers’ returns.

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