Kenyan Dairy Board enters partnership with livestock researcher to bolster country's milk output
Kenya's dairy sector is poised for significant growth, with the National Dairy Master Plan aiming to double per capita milk consumption by 2030. This ambitious goal requires expanding production from 8 billion litres to over 18 billion litres annually.
The Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) have joined forces to support this mission. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), they aim to promote inclusive growth, innovation, and sustainability from 'farm to glass'.
KDB, the organisation responsible for shaping Kenya's dairy industry, has a mandate that includes policy framework, quality assurance, and market oversight. The formal milk sector, which involves cooperatives, processors, and retailers, currently provides around 20% of milk to consumers. However, more than half of milk in Kenya is delivered through informal market systems, offering significant support to livelihoods, particularly for youth and women.
The MoU serves as a framework for cooperation that aims to improve dairy production, processing, and consumer awareness. The 'More Milk 2' project, a collaboration between KDB and ILRI, is a prime example of this partnership. It aligns with KDB's mandate to regulate, promote, and develop Kenya's dairy industry.
ILRI, with 50 years of experience in developing dairy-related solutions in animal health, genetics, feed, and dairy marketing systems, brings valuable expertise to the table. This strategic partnership aims to unlock opportunities for smallholder farmers, processors, and consumers.
Kenya's dairy sector is already a vital livelihood engine, contributing significantly to both the country's GDP and agricultural GDP. As the largest dairy sector in East Africa, it produced 5.33 billion litres in 2021, accounting for about 4.5% of the country's GDP and over 12% of agricultural GDP.
With Kenya currently having the highest per capita milk consumption, around 92 litres per person annually, and demand expected to rise further as the population grows, the potential for growth in the dairy sector is immense. This collaboration between KDB and ILRI aims to strengthen KDB's ability to deliver on its promise with innovation, integrity, and impact.
The informal milk market systems provide affordable access to nutrient-rich milk, making them crucial for food and nutrition security in Kenya. As the formal milk sector grows, it is a strategic priority to ensure this growth is inclusive and sustainable, supporting livelihoods and meeting the country's goal of doubling milk consumption by 2030.
This collaboration between KDB and ILRI is a significant step towards accelerating growth, innovation, and sustainability in Kenya's dairy sector. With the right strategies in place, Kenya's dairy sector stands to make a substantial contribution to the country's economy and food security in the coming years.
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