Irish Minister of State Visits Nakuru for Dairy Kenya Ireland Project Evaluation



Pippa Hackett, the Irish Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Marine, is currently on a field visit to Nakuru County to assess the progress of the Dairy Kenya Ireland Project. Accompanied by Nakuru County Agriculture Executive Leonard Bor, the minister toured the Kenya Agricultural Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) in Naivasha to gain insights into the project’s implementation.

The Dairy Kenya Ireland Project is aligned with the vision of Nakuru County Governor Susan Kihika’s manifesto, aiming to enhance the productivity of dairy farming in the region. The visiting team received briefings on the various activities carried out under the project, with a particular focus on the cattle breeding program. This program emphasizes improving farm profitability by implementing forage-based production, addressing over 90 percent of the animal’s dietary needs.

The initiative is crucial for smallholder farmers as it provides opportunities to learn and adopt innovations in breeding, value addition, and dairy industry skills development. These interventions are geared towards increasing overall productivity in the dairy sector.

Irish Ambassador Fionnuala Quinlan was also present during the visit, emphasizing the collaborative effort between Ireland and Nakuru County in driving advancements in the local dairy industry. KALRO Director Livestock Systems Dr. Samuel Mbuku and other stakeholders engaged in discussions on the positive impact of the project on the agricultural landscape in Nakuru.

The fact-finding mission by Minister Pippa Hackett underscores the importance of international partnerships in advancing agricultural practices and contributing to the economic growth of regions like Nakuru County. The visit not only strengthens ties between Ireland and Nakuru but also highlights the shared commitment to sustainable and innovative approaches in the agricultural sector.

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