MilKy: Kenya’s white gold

The dairy sector is one of the main sources of livelihood in Kenya, contributing, as it does, to 12% of the agricultural GDP, employing about 1.8 million families and guaranteeing 700,000 jobs. Unfortunately, most milk is sold through informal channels and, as a result, producers earn very little.

Production is hindered by a lack of knowledge on animal feed, contacts with qualified zootechnical services, water supply, adequate milk collection, storage facilities and machinery. The enterprise and market skills needed to start or maintain micro enterprises are also very scarce.
There are many economic, environmental and social problems and requirements.
Without a targeted intervention, demand can no longer be satisfied by the current average production. Furthermore, without adequate tools and knowledge production cannot be turned into an environmentally sustainable activity.

The project supports local communities to make production truly sustainable and self-sufficient through economic, environmental and social interventions.
Our interventions on the production stages aim to improve the quality and quantity of milk produced, and to guarantee food safety for the population and sustainable agriculture.
The project involves creating 5 dairy centres within FaidiFarmers Ltd and providing training to its members. We also promote the production of clean and renewable energy, by encouraging the use of biogas and reforestation to offset CO2 emissions.

The staff of Caritas Nairobi, by the Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (DiSAA) of the Polytechnic of Milan and by Associazione Unione degli Operatori di Fecondazione Artificiale Animale (UOFAA) (Association of Artificial Fertilization Operators Union) will provide technical support to local micro-enterprises as part of a best practice exchange initiative.
Those enterprises will also benefit from training courses on access to credit, business management and accounting and will become an instrument of social emancipation thanks to the active involvement of women within the project.Traditionally excluded from entrepreneurial activities, 1,300 women will in fact take part in the planned activities and courses. Empowerment activities and training on gender equality are also envisaged, with the aim of enhancing the role of women, reducing the gender gap and encouraging their inclusion in the sector.

Project’s overview

The project aims to promote sustainable economic growth in Kenya. Specifically, it aims to help 2,000 micro-enterprises in 4 sub-areas of Kiambu develop a quality dairy supply chain, boosting its production. The first subscriber to this project is Caritas. As project partner, CELIM contributes by:

• providing support in the production stages, with the aim of increasing the amount and quality of milk produced. Specifically, the intervention envisages training courses on animal nutrition, breeding techniques, the basics of animal husbandry and para-veterinary, developing an efficient water system and increasing knowledge and the use of renewable sources, to promote a truly sustainable development
• creating 5 milk collection centres within FFLtd and training executive members on gender equality, leadership, accounting and business management, so as to assist local actors along the path, ensuring ownership and autonomy once the project is over; including all breeders in a formal system aimed at ensuring greater income
• Boosting the milk processing unit and organising the sales department in the LimuruArch Farm, and training of its staff.