Editor's Review
"If other people are milking buffaloes, why can't we?"
On Friday, October 9, President William Ruto hinted at exploring buffalo milk amid the ongoing milk shortage in the country.
Ruto attributed the local shortage to drought, but noted that buffaloes and camels produce more milk than domesticated cows.
He claimed that India had already explored the option and directed Livestock Development Principal Secretary (PS) Jonathan Mueke to look for suitable breeds of buffaloes and camels that would be used to boost milk production in the country.
"We currently have a milk shortage in the country because of the drought and other issues. I had told PS Jonathan Mueke to help us source a better camel breed and to bring a good buffalo breed because I hear buffaloes produce a lot of milk.
"In India, they consume buffalo milk, and we wanted to begin with small samples, so that we can see whether it is viable because if other people are milking buffaloes, why can't we?" Ruto posed.
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The President added that Kenyans already consume camel milk; its current market price of Ksh180 per litre is nearly three times that of cow milk. He explained that better breeds of camel which produce more milk will reduce the retail price.
Ruto reiterated that despite the shortage, Kenya is the largest milk producer and consumer in Africa.
"Our milk has increased from 4.5 billion litres to 5.5 billion. As I said yesterday, Kenya is now the largest milk producer on our continent," he stated.
The Head of State said his government has made phenomenal transformation across the agriculture sector as a result of four years of sustained reforms and investment.
He confirmed intentions to build on the progress by building mega, medium and micro dams across the country, which would then expand acreage under irrigation to 2.5 million acres.
The dams will be built with money from the National Infrastructure Fund (NIF).
