Former Uasin Gishu gubernatorial aspirant, Zedekiah Bundotich, commonly known as Buzeki, has called on the UDA government to extend a bonus scheme to dairy farmers based on the butter fat content of their milk, similar to the bonuses that have been paid to sugarcane farmers. In a statement made earlier today, Buzeki highlighted the importance of dairy farming in the region and argued that farmers producing milk with higher butter fat content deserve equitable recognition and rewards for their contributions to the production of high-value products such as butter, ghee, and cheese.
"Basing bonuses on the butter fat content in milk is a fair and just approach that would empower dairy farmers to improve the quality of their milk, which is used to produce some of the most sought-after dairy products," Buzeki said in his statement. "Just as sugarcane farmers have benefited from such a system, dairy farmers too should be treated with the same level of fairness and encouraged to increase the quality of their milk."
Buzeki further emphasized that Uasin Gishu, one of the top dairy-producing counties in Kenya, has seen a steady rise in milk production, yet dairy farmers continue to face numerous challenges. While sugarcane farmers have been recognized for their efforts with performance-based bonuses, dairy farmers have not received similar incentives, despite their critical role in food security and the economy.
"The dairy sector is crucial not only to the livelihoods of farmers but also to the national economy. Dairy products like butter, ghee, and cheese are in high demand, and as such, farmers who produce milk with higher butter fat content should be duly compensated," Buzeki argued. "This will not only incentivize better production but also contribute to the growth of the country's dairy industry, ensuring that Kenya becomes a leading producer of premium dairy products."
The former gubernatorial candidate also urged the government to engage in more dialogue with dairy farmers and other stakeholders in the sector, to ensure that the interests of those on the ground are prioritized in the formulation of policies that directly affect their welfare.
In conclusion, Buzeki made it clear that equitable treatment for all farmers, regardless of the product they produce, is essential to fostering a fair and inclusive agricultural sector in Kenya.
END