Kenya begins roadmap implementation for sustainable dairy

KENYA – Kenya is making significant strides toward a sustainable dairy sector through the implementation of the “Kenya Dairy Industry Sustainability Roadmap 2023-2032.” 

Unveiled in December 2023, this comprehensive 10-year initiative aims to address the increasing demand for milk and dairy products while ensuring food safety and environmental protection.

Recently, Managing Director Margaret Rugut Kibogy, alongside representatives from the Kenya Dairy Board, visited Aspendos Dairy Limited in Murang’a and Royal Fresh Brands in Nyeri counties. 

These visits are part of the ongoing efforts to engage with processors and facilitate the roadmap’s implementation.

This initiative aligns with Kenya’s commitment to the Dairy Net Zero Campaign, which focuses on creating a sustainable dairy sector both nationally and globally.

In addition, the roadmap seeks to enhance the industry, which currently contributes approximately 4% to the nation’s GDP and supports over 1.8 million smallholder farmers.

According to industry reports, Kenya ranks among Africa’s top dairy producers with annual production exceeding four billion litres. 

However, the industry faces challenges, including underutilized processing facilities operating below 50% capacity and a prevalence of non-commercial dairy farms that need help generating profits. 

Margaret Kibogy noted that a coordinated, industry-wide effort is essential to enhance sustainability across economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

She also added that the roadmap targets a substantial increase in production, aiming to generate an additional 2.5 billion liters of quality milk annually. 

“It also sets ambitious goals for the industry, including ensuring that at least 80% of marketed milk output passes through a cold chain system and that 60% of milk is formally processed,” she said while launching the roadmap.

“To further support farmers, the plan aims to double their monthly earnings relative to the minimum wage and reduce retail prices for packaged milk by at least 20% from early 2023 highs.”

In addition, she highlighted that key pillars focused on prosperity, people, and the planet are central to the roadmap.

She noted that the roadmap promotes a more intensive and commercially oriented production model, encourages joint ventures with global players to foster innovation and market diversification, and drives initiatives for environmentally friendly practices. 

“This aligns with Kenya’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets, which aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32% by 2030.”

Meanwhile, as part of the ongoing implementation efforts, KDB has actively engaged with dairy processors to explore best practices and technologies. 

The organization recognizes the need for modern, climate-smart approaches to enhance productivity amid the challenges posed by climate change, which has resulted in inconsistent rainfall and environmental degradation.

“Our expectation is that the roadmap will enable the country to employ modern technology and climate-smart approaches to competitively produce, process, and market quality milk,” Kibogy noted.

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