Nairobi — Dairy farmers in Nyandarua North District have revived dormant marketing co-operatives in order to maximise on returns from raw milk.

A report released recently by the district co-operatives officer, Mrs Margaret Wachira, says that at least 10 previously dormant dairy co-operative societies have been revived since last year.

The move has also improved transportation of raw milk cutting down on losses that were hitherto incurred due to lack of reliable means.

The report says that some of the revived societies are currently able to advance credit to members to help the improve their stock through better animal husbandry.

Better prices

Mrs Wachira cited Nyala Co-operative Society which earned dairy farmers Sh175.6 million last year.

She said that members of the society directly pocketed Sh158 million out of the Sh175.6 million after the balance went to transport and other costs.

Mrs Wachira added that the revival of societies would enable them to bargain for better prices unlike in the past where many producers received farm-gate prices.

She said that 53 dairy co-operative societies in the district intended to introduce Artificial Services to improve their breeding stock.