By Duncan Mboyah
Kenya has launched a four-year initiative aimed at improving the availability and accessibility of safe, affordabe and quality milk for consumption.
The initiative, known as ‘MoreMilk’, also aims to enhance milk regulatory compliance and market access for small dairy businesses.
Dr. Joshua Chepchieng, Secretary for Administration in the State Department of Livestock Development said that the long-term vision is to have a formalized dairy sector in Kenya that provides safe milk and contributes to nutrition security, health, and economic growth.
“The project intends to create a business case that demonstrates the feasibility of scaling up to support Kenya’s objective of increasing milk sales through regulated markets from less than 20 percent to 50 percent,” Dr. Chepchieng said during the launch in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital.
Dr. Chepchieng said that the project targets small dairy business operators in the informal markets by equipping them with technical skills, equipment support and linkages that would improve their business skills and milk safety.
The official observed that the initiative will support small dairy business operators’ that sell an average of 50 to 100 litres a day and often at about half the price of processed milk, gradually transition into certified enterprises that offer safe and quality dairy products.
He noted that the initiative will address current challenges by improving milk handling practices and ensuring regulatory compliance while empowering vendors to thrive, and enhancing consumer trust.
Margaret Kibogy, Managing Director of Kenya Dairy Board said small and medium dairy enterprises will be trained, provided with technology and financial assistance to foster an enabling environment for change.
Kibogy noted that the initiative will also empower consumers by increasing demand for safer, high-quality milk and strengthen gender equity by fostering collaboration between men and women in the informal sector.
She noted that 70 percent of the dairy sector in Kenya is informal and includes small-scale dairy farmers, informal traders, and vendors who sell unpackaged milk directly to consumers pointing to its significant role in nutrition security and economy.
Prof. Apollinaire Djikeng, director general of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) said that through research and regulatory expertise, the initiative will enhance livelihoods, drive national food security and public health progress.
Prof. Djikeng noted that the initiative aims to create a sustainable model that not only supports small businesses but also protects the health and well-being of Kenyan families.
“Women make up 50 per cent of the workforce in the sector. Despite its importance, this sector faces challenges such as poor milk handling practices, lack of regulatory compliance, and safety concerns,” he said.
The initiative, `MoreMilk’ – more milk for lives and livelihoods in Kenya is being undertaken by the Kenya Dairy Board and International Livestock Research Institute is expected to increase 2.83 times from 4.5 billion litres to 12.67 billion litres by the end of the initiative.
Kenya’s informal dairy sector, which accounts for about three quarters of the country’s milk supply, is set to undergo a major transformation through the initiative.
