Kenya News Agency reports on new technology providing easy mastitis testing

Kenya Agricultural Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) has made a groundbreaking discovery that will revolutionize the way farmers detect mastitis infection in their dairy animals. Mastitis, a common and costly disease among livestock, has been a major challenge for farmers, leading to production losses and excessive antibiotic use. However, with the development of a new rapid diagnostic test by KALRO, farmers can now easily identify sick animals early on.

Dr. Monicah Maichomo, a senior research scientist at KALRO, explained that the new technology involves a simple kit where farmers can put a drop of milk on a litmus paper test method. If the color changes to blue, it indicates the presence of the disease. This easy-to-use kit will empower farmers to take proactive measures in managing mastitis, such as segregation and early treatment.

Peter Njuguna, another expert at KALRO, emphasized the importance of early detection and treatment of mastitis in reducing milk rejection and economic losses for farmers. The new kit, which will be available at an affordable cost of Ksh12 per strip, is set to be commercialized and made accessible to farmers in the next two months.

Mastitis is a global issue that affects animal health and milk quality, leading to significant financial losses for farmers worldwide. The introduction of this innovative technology by KALRO marks a significant step towards improving animal health welfare and enhancing the economic sustainability of dairy farming. Farmers are encouraged to embrace this new tool to effectively manage mastitis and ensure the well-being of their livestock.