Brookside has announced that it will pay its farmers KES 3 more for each kilogramme of milk delivered with effect from last Saturday 1st September 2012. According to John Gethi, Brookside General Manager, the increase in raw milk price is meant to cushion the farmers from the effects of harsh weather. The lowest price for raw milk delivered to the firm will now be KES 27, up from KES 24.
The new price will however apply to only to those who sell their milk from the farm gate. Those who deliver directly to the cooling stations will earn an additional KES 4 per kilo bonus for transport. The good news to the consumer is that this will ensure farmers invest in storage of hay and silage, which will assure them of continuous supply of milk even during the dry season (Brookside processes 750,000 litres per day) with non-fluctuating prices notwithstanding.
Brookside, which has fully fledged operations in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania has more than 150,000 contracted farmers countrywide. the company has directly employed 1,500 Kenyans and indirectly supported another 150,000 Kenyans in the value chain including farmers, suppliers, retailers, transporters and distributors.
[Read: Brookside Milke Production set to Rise]