Kenya to Introduce Quality Milk Certification as Export Push Intensifies
The Agriculture Ministry is set to introduce a Good Quality Milk Certification Programme as Kenya seeks to secure regional and global dairy markets.
Kenya is launching a national certification programme to guarantee milk safety and reward farmers who produce quality milk. Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe warned that the country’s growing ambition to export dairy risks collapse if aflatoxin in feeds is not addressed urgently.
Speaking at the opening of the 17th African Dairy Conference and Exhibition (AFDA17) in Nairobi on Thursday, Kagwe said contaminated feeds are eroding Kenya’s competitiveness in both regional and international markets.
“No export without quality. Aflatoxin in maize feeds goes straight into milk and locks us out of big markets,” the CS said.
Under the upcoming Good Quality Milk Certification Programme, farmers will get paid more for clean and safe milk and less for substandard milk.
“It can’t be the same amount for bad and good. Those who produce better will get better,” Kagwe said.
The CS also urged feed manufacturers and maize producers to adopt Aflasafe, a biological solution that reduces aflatoxin in maize, to save the dairy sector.
“Use aflatoxin-free maize. Adopt Aflasafe. This is the only way to get the best milk for Kenyans and protect our space in global markets,” he added.
Kenya produced 5.3 billion litres of milk in 2024. Under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the government wants to double production to 10 billion litres. Kagwe said this can only be achieved by controlling aflatoxin, reducing feed costs, improving breeds and incentivizing quality.
The CS also called on African countries to harmonize dairy standards under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to reduce reliance on imported milk powders.
“Africa can feed itself and it can also export. But that will only happen if we focus on quality, competitiveness and collaboration,” Kagwe said.
The AFDA17 conference at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre has brought together farmers, processors, policymakers and international players to discuss opportunities and challenges in Africa’s dairy industry.
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Kenya to Introduce Quality Milk Certification as Export Push Intensifies