Kenya Milk Supply Chain Program
Kenya Milk Supply Chain Program
In Kenya we intervene on the issue of food and nutritional security through a conscious and sustainable development of the milk supply chain within the Molo River basin.
The context
The milk supply chain program continues the experience that Mani Tese and NECOFA have gained over the years in Kenya to promote food security and entrepreneurial promotion in the Molo River basin. The project intervention area covers the Molo Sub county, with a population of 156,732 inhabitants (KNBS, 2019) in Nakuru county and Baringo South with 109,759 inhabitants (2018) in Baringo county. This area belongs to the sub-Saharan area particularly vulnerable to climatic phenomena , where years of extreme drought alternate with years of powerful floods. A situation that has serious repercussions on the livelihoods of the population in the area, which is highly dependent on the natural resources of the territory.
The milk market in Kenya is the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, with local production, however, covering only 50% of the demand. Milk producers also cannot access the market, crushed by intermediaries who buy milk at ridiculous prices, penalizing consumers and not allowing adequate returns to producers.
The milk supply chain program aims to promote regenerative agriculture linked to dairy production by encouraging high-value-added, natural, artisanal milk production with better margins, which are highly sought after by the population and the market.
The objectives
The overall objective of the program is to promote food and nutritional security through the promotion of the integrated and sustainable milk supply chain within the Molo River basin, creating new job opportunities.
The activities carried out are intended to increase the production, sale and accessibility of noble proteins for the beneficiary communities with a view to food security, entrepreneurial promotion and sustainability.
The activities
The activities currently underway within the milk supply chain program are divided into several initiatives:
Milk Bora – Promotion of the milk supply chain
The general objective of the project, carried out in collaboration with the Veneto Region , is to promote food security and increase the income of small local producers, especially women, by strengthening the quality milk supply chain with an integrated and sustainable approach. The project includes activities for the production and promotion of dairy products, the strengthening of the Molo milk collection center, technical training on the value chain and the creation of experimental farms for increasing fodder production and soil regeneration. An activity is also planned to raise awareness among the population of the Veneto Region on the Kenyan context and on the supply chain approach on the issues related to the project, strengthening the links between these two lands through cultural activities and by promoting a relationship between producers and consumers.
Milk Bora – Friulian excellence supporting the milk supply chain in Kenya
The project, in collaboration with the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region , aims to promote the sustainable milk supply chain in the Nakuru basin through the creation of a collaboration network between small producers, supply chain operators and other actors in the sector. To increase the production of high-quality milk by 20%, a training and skills strengthening program for producers will be implemented . To increase the number of producers who adopt sustainable production practices by 50%, infrastructure will be strengthened and both training in business management and the transfer of know-how from Friulian excellence to the local area will be promoted.
Finally, to improve the economic conditions of small producers with a 20% increase in income, management and microfinance training will be implemented, as well as grants for breeders.
Milk Vision 2030: Strengthening the dairy sector through sustainability and exchange paths
The general objective of the project, carried out in collaboration with the Emilia Romagna Region , is to improve the economic and social conditions of rural communities in Nakuru County through the promotion of the sustainable milk supply chain in the Nakuru basin. It is expected to increase the production, sale and accessibility of milk and its derivatives through the strengthening of the Molo center and the technical skills of producers, as well as the training exchange between Emilia-Romagna and Kenya. An awareness-raising activity is also planned among the population of the Emilia-Romagna region, and in particular, the citizens of Finale Emilia and the province of Modena, on the importance of conscious and sustainable consumption and the valorization of local products.