The Rongo dairy farmers are now counting loses following a power shortage resulting to fermentation of thousands of liters of milk. The four day power shortage has left the Rongo Dairy Farmers Co-operative Society management stranded as there is no alternative power to salvage the situation. Speaking to the press in his office, the branch Director Mr. Charles Okumu said that more than 3000 litres of milk valued at Kshs. 168,400 have been spoilt following an acute power shortage they have experienced in the past four days. Mr. Okumu said that the problem has been persistent and any effort to reach the Kenya Power and Lighting Company to find a solution to the same has bore no fruits. The manager added that as company, they are neither in position to generate their own power nor purchase generators to curb the problem due to their financial constraints. Some of the farmers now consider withdrawing their milk supply to the company citing huge loses they have always incurred. The farmers say that that they will take their milk to middlemen whom they claim pay them promptly and never deduct their money in case of eventualities. The farmers are now being forced to recollect the fermented milk for domestic consumption oblivious of its health hazards. The Rongo Dairy Farmers Co-operative Society is the only milk processing factory in the entire Migori County and also serves farmers from the neighboring Kisii County. The society has a population of 400 registered members who supply milk daily and at times they are forced to cut down on their supply due to fluctuating market prizes. The farmers are now appealing to the county government to intervene lest they resort to other income generating activities. At the same time they now want the Kenya Power Nd Lighting Company to take responsibilty and pay for the loses lest they resort to other crude means to recover their money
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 17:21:11 +0000
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