Tetra Pak has honoured the top-performing dairy extension officers in Githunguri, Kiambu County, for their exceptional participation in the Maize for Silage Competition.
The prestigious competition, organized in partnership with Githunguri Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society (GDFCS), aimed to improve forage preservation and enhance the profitability of dairy farms.
The award ceremony, held at the Fresha Model Farm, showcased the extension officers’ impressive results as they worked closely with farmers through training programs and group discussions.
The event also celebrated significant developments at the model farm, including the arrival of the first cows and the successful completion of a two-year partnership agreement between Tetra Pak and GDFCS.
The competition was designed to encourage farmers to preserve excess forage for use during droughts, ensuring a stable feed supply, boosting milk production, and promoting economic sustainability for small-scale farmers.
After theoretical training on maize establishment for silage, practical training took place at the Githunguri Model Farm.
The extension team was divided into four groups, each assigned a plot of land.
They prepared, planted, and maintained their maize crops, which were later harvested and their silage yield measured. Each group applied its own approach to establishing maize, showcasing diverse techniques.
In August 2024, the maize was harvested, processed into silage bags, and tested for nutritive value using the ProDairy portable scanner.
This analysis helped calculate the potential milk yield per square meter of each plot, with the winning team determined by the highest milk production per area.
Tetra Pak plans to make the competition an annual event, with a floating trophy awarded to the top teams.
The format for the 2025 Maize Silage Competition was unveiled during the event, and a separate competition for Reference Farmers will be introduced, encouraging their participation in silage production.
Jonathan Kinisu, Managing Director of Tetra Pak East Africa, expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration, stating, “We have learned valuable lessons from our partnership with Githunguri Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society at the Fresha Model Farm. We intend to continue scaling our efforts, focusing on energy and water efficiency to reduce costs and increase milk production for the benefit of farmers.”
Fredrick Muriithi, General Manager of Githunguri Dairies (GDFCS), added, “Milk production in Githunguri has increased significantly since we began engaging farmers on protein production. While we have the capacity to produce up to 400,000 litres per day, we are currently operating at 70 per cent, which highlights the need to expand silage production among our 11,500 dairy farmers.”
Tetra Pak’s commitment to advancing dairy farming through innovative practices and partnerships continues to positively impact the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in Githunguri, paving the way for a more sustainable and prosperous future.
