Nandi County has welcomed a high-level delegation from the renowned Meru Dairy Cooperative Union in a move expected to strengthen the county's dairy sector through knowledge exchange, mentorship, and cooperative partnerships.
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| Agriculture CEC Kiplimo Araap Lagat (centre) together with the officials from Meru Dairy Cooperative Union. (Photo Courtesy) |
The delegation, led by the Union Chairman, includes members of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, management officials, and technical staff. Their visit marks a significant step in fostering collaboration between two farmer-owned dairy institutions committed to improving the livelihoods of dairy farmers.
During their stay in Nandi, the Meru Dairy Cooperative Union team will engage with the Nandi Dairy Cooperative Union (NDCU), visit farmer cooperatives across the county, tour the Nandi Cooperative Creameries processing plant, and participate in strategic discussions aimed at identifying areas of mutual cooperation within the dairy value chain.
Speaking during the visit, Nandi County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Kiplimo Araap Lagat noted that NDCU deliberately pursued the partnership with Meru Dairy Cooperative Union due to its outstanding success in cooperative governance, dairy processing, product branding, market expansion, and farmer service delivery.
According to the CEC, the mentorship arrangement is expected to help NDCU accelerate its institutional development, strengthen management capacity, and adopt proven best practices that will enhance value creation and profitability for dairy farmers in Nandi County.
Meru Dairy Cooperative Union is widely recognized as one of Kenya's most successful farmer-owned dairy processors and is the producer of the popular Mt. Kenya Milk brand. Its success has made it a model cooperative for many dairy organizations seeking to improve efficiency, competitiveness, and farmer returns.
The visit also highlights the growing recognition that strong farmer-owned institutions remain central to building a competitive and sustainable dairy industry. Leaders from both unions emphasized the importance of cooperative excellence, innovation, and collaboration in increasing farmer incomes and creating resilient dairy enterprises capable of competing in both national and regional markets.
As Nandi County continues to invest in transforming its dairy sector, the exchange is expected to provide valuable insights and practical lessons that can be adapted to strengthen local dairy cooperatives and improve service delivery to farmers.
The partnership between NDCU and Meru Dairy Cooperative Union is being viewed as a significant milestone in advancing farmer-led agribusiness development, demonstrating the power of collective action, knowledge sharing, and strong cooperative institutions in driving sustainable growth within Kenya's dairy industry.