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 depends heavily on the natural resources of the territory.

Il milk market in kenya It is the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, with local production, however, that barely covers 50% of the needs. 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 aregenerative agriculture linked to dairy production by encouraging high added value, natural, artisanal milk production with better margins, highly sought after by the population and the market.

The goals

The general objective of the program is to promote food and nutritional security through the promotion of the milk supply chain, integrated and sustainable inside 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 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 to raise awareness among the population of the Veneto region on the Kenyan context and on the supply chain approach on the issues inherent to the project by 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 Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, aims to promote the sustainable milk supply chain in the Nakuru basin through the creation of a collaborative network between small producers, supply chain operators and other actors in the sector. To increase the production of high quality milk by 20%, a a training and skills strengthening program for producers. To increase by 50% the number of producers adopting sustainable production practices, infrastructures were strengthened and both training in business management and the transfer of know-how from Friulian excellence to the local area were promoted.

Finally, to improve the economic conditions of small producers with a 20% increase in income, theimplemented management and microfinance training and provided grants to farmers.

Milk Vision 2030: Strengthening the dairy sector through sustainability and exchange paths

The general objective of the project, carried out in collaboration with 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.