Hundreds of dairy farmers in Muhoroni are set for increased earnings and better access to markets after the government unveiled two modern milk coolers aimed at reducing milk spoilage and strengthening dairy farming in the region.
The two coolers, each with a capacity of 1,000 litres, were handed over to farmers through the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) during a ceremony led by Principal Secretary for Children Affairs Caren Agengo.
The project is expected to directly benefit more than 600 farmers who have for years struggled with losses caused by inadequate milk preservation facilities and unreliable markets.
Addressing residents during the handover event, Agengo said the government was committed to transforming livelihoods in Muhoroni by supporting alternative economic activities following the collapse of the sugar industry.
“For a long time, many farmers have been losing milk due to lack of proper storage. These coolers will now help preserve milk quality and ensure farmers earn more from their hard work,” said Agengo.
She observed that the dairy sector has huge potential in Muhoroni due to favourable weather conditions and increasing interest among local farmers.
According to the PS, the cooling facilities will also encourage farmers to work together through cooperatives, making it easier for them to access larger markets and negotiate better prices for their produce.
“When farmers unite through cooperative societies, they gain stronger bargaining power. This project is not just about storage; it is about improving incomes and building sustainable businesses,” she said.
Agengo added that the initiative is expected to stimulate growth of small-scale dairy processing industries such as yoghurt and milk packaging plants, creating jobs for young people and women in the area.
She urged youth to embrace dairy farming as a reliable source of income, saying agriculture remains one of the key pillars of the government’s economic empowerment agenda.
LBDA Chairman Waore Dianga said the authority would oversee proper management of the equipment to ensure maximum benefit for farmers.
“These milk coolers are a major relief to dairy farmers because they will help address post-harvest losses that have affected milk production and marketing for years,” said Dianga.
He noted that farmers often incurred losses when milk went bad before reaching consumers or processing plants, adding that the new facilities would improve efficiency in collection and distribution.
Local farmers welcomed the project, saying it would save them from the burden of selling milk at throwaway prices due to lack of storage.
Muhoroni, traditionally known for sugarcane farming, has in recent years seen many farmers shift to dairy farming as they seek alternative sources of income following challenges facing the sugar sector.
Leaders at the event expressed optimism that the project would help diversify the local economy and improve household incomes across the region.
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