Written by Shillah Mwadosho 2012-05-20 12:36:00 Read 691 Times

New KCC Kapsabet cooling plant has recorded a significant increase in the quantity of milk received daily.

The plant currently collects a minimum of 3000 kilograms daily which is an increase from the previous 500 kilograms collected during the dry months of January, February and March.

The plant manager Patrick Ruto said that such an increase in quantity has not been recorded in the past adding that further increase was expected to be realized in the subsequent months.

Ruto explained that the month of April also had low production because vegetation had not matured enough to boost milk production in cows.

The manager thanked farmers for their continued supply of milk to the cooling plant promising that the increase in supply would lead to a further price increase.

Speaking to West Fm at the plant Ruto said, “The price has been increased from Sh30 from the previous buying price of shillings 26.”

He called on dairy farmers to ensure that their production reaches its peak adding that by next month, the price is expected to increase by two shillings.

According to Ruto, the plant has been receiving competition from local consumers who often buy milk at a higher price directly from the farmers.

“Consumers especially those living in town have been giving us a blow since they could buy at over Sh50 while we purchased at Sh26,” he said.

However, he said that the production had increased and since farmers had surplus production, they were able to get more milk than before.

He said, “The competition is weakening. There is a lot of milk and farmers now have enough to supply us.”

According to a popular dairy farmer, David Sirma, there was a need for New KCC to ensure that the price of milk is encouraging to farmers.

He said, “The current increase is welcome but we wish that additional increase would be made.”

Sirma said that New KCC should be aware that farmers may opt to sell their milk to other milk companies if the price would not be increased in future.

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