Fo4acp Project Update: Cak Takes Part In Naivasha Workshop To Strengthen Regional Dairy Knowledge And Foster A Sustainable Future

The Cooperative Alliance of Kenya (CAK) actively participated in the highly anticipated Regional Dairy Sector Knowledge Management Workshop, held from January 14-15, 2025, in Naivasha, Kenya. The workshop, organized by the Eastern Africa Farmers Federation (EAFF) under the Framework of FO4ACP (Farmer Organizations for Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific), aimed to bring together key stakeholders from across the East African dairy sector to explore shared challenges, highlight opportunities for collaboration, and promote knowledge exchange among farmer organizations, cooperatives, and various other critical actors in the dairy value chain.

With East Africas dairy industry being a vital component of the regions agriculture and economy, the workshops objectives were carefully crafted to address the current state of the industry while looking ahead to future development. The event was an essential space for participants to share experiences, forge valuable business linkages, and engage in policy discussions designed to support the sustainability and competitiveness of the dairy sector in the region.

Strategic Objectives of the Workshop

The workshop was structured around three primary objectives:

Experience Sharing Stakeholders from various East African countries shared practical insights into their dairy farming practices, successes, and challenges. This open exchange of ideas allowed participants to learn from each other and replicate successful initiatives, while also identifying gaps where additional support was needed.

Strengthening Business Linkages The event sought to catalyze new partnerships and enhance existing relationships among cooperatives, farmer organizations, private sector actors, and policymakers. Strengthening these linkages is crucial to improving value chains, reducing costs, and increasing the overall efficiency of the dairy sector in the region.

Policy Discussions Critical policy discussions were held, focusing on how governments and industry leaders can create enabling environments for dairy production, improve the regulatory frameworks for cooperatives, and address issues such as access to finance, inputs, and markets.

These objectives provided a holistic approach to the workshop, ensuring that the discussions covered practical and policy-oriented solutions for the sectors growth.

Notable Developments and Key Outcomes

One of the most notable developments to emerge from the workshop was the significant progress made by the Mburugu Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society (FCS), based in Kenya. Mburugu Dairy FCS is currently in the final stages of finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with two prominent cooperatives from Uganda: Bulunguli FCS and DOHO Rice FCS. This agreement will see the cooperatives engage in a cross-border collaboration aimed at importing essential raw materials, such as maize bran and rice bran, for animal feed production.

This collaboration is a game-changer for the regions dairy industry. By securing access to high-quality and affordable raw materials, the cooperatives will be able to produce more cost-effective and nutritious animal feeds, addressing one of the most significant challenges faced by dairy farmers across East Africaaccess to quality feed. This linkage is especially important in light of the ongoing climate change challenges, where crop failures and price volatility of feed materials have impacted dairy production in many countries.

The establishment of this partnership was facilitated by CAK, who played a pivotal role in organizing a fact-finding mission for Mburugu Dairy FCS Board members to Uganda. During the mission, the board members had the opportunity to visit the Ugandan cooperatives, learn about their operations, and explore the potential for collaboration firsthand. The initiative is a clear example of how regional cooperation, facilitated by organizations like CAK, can foster practical solutions to shared problems.

Building a More Resilient Dairy Sector through Regional Cooperation

The workshop highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation and knowledge-sharing as crucial drivers of success for the East African dairy sector. The region faces numerous challenges, including fluctuations in feed and milk prices, climate change impacts such as droughts and erratic rainfall, limited access to high-quality animal genetics, and the need for improved infrastructure. By forging stronger links between cooperatives and farmer organizations, stakeholders can mitigate some of these challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth.

Beyond business linkages, the workshop also underscored the role of policy in supporting the sector. The dairy industry requires sound, evidence-based policies that address issues such as land tenure, access to finance, and the regulation of milk and feed markets. Representatives from the Kenya Dairy Board, the Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre, and the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization were present to share the latest policy developments and discuss how regulations can better support the industrys expansion.

Through these discussions, a roadmap was proposed for improving policy coordination across East African countries. Regional policies, as opposed to isolated national regulations, could help streamline processes for cross-border trade, establish consistent quality standards, and ensure better access to veterinary services, animal breeding programs, and modern dairy technologies.

Collaboration with Industry Leaders

In addition to the collaborative agreements forged between cooperatives, the workshop also saw the participation of various industry leaders who played a significant role in addressing the sector's challenges. The Kenya Dairy Board provided insights into regulatory frameworks and milk quality standards, while the Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre shared their research findings on improving dairy genetics to enhance milk production and resilience to diseases. The Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) also contributed valuable information on the role of research and innovation in improving productivity and sustainability in dairy farming.

Furthermore, representatives from the private sector and civil society organizations offered solutions to address critical issues such as access to markets, dairy processing, and improving milk collection and distribution systems. These diverse perspectives helped ensure that all aspects of the dairy value chain were considered in the discussions and that multi-sectoral collaboration is emphasized moving forward.

Looking to the Future

As the MOU between Mburugu Dairy FCS and the Ugandan cooperatives nears completion, the collaboration stands as a beacon of how regional partnerships can build resilience in East Africa's dairy sector. This partnership not only strengthens the cooperative movement in both Kenya and Uganda but also serves as a model for future cross-border collaborations in other sectors within agriculture.

Looking ahead, CAK and other stakeholders are focused on building on the momentum generated by the workshop. By continuing to prioritize knowledge sharing, technical innovation, and strengthened business linkages, the region can make significant strides in addressing the challenges facing its dairy sector.

The key to success lies in continued regional cooperation, improved policy frameworks, and ongoing investment in research and technology. As the dairy industry in East Africa continues to grow, stakeholders are hopeful that these efforts will result in a more integrated and prosperous future for the sector, benefiting millions of smallholder farmers, their communities, and the broader East African economy.

In conclusion, the Regional Dairy Sector Knowledge Management Workshop in Naivasha not only provided a platform for addressing immediate challenges but also set the stage for long-term collaboration, policy improvements, and shared prosperity in the East African dairy sector. The partnership between CAK, cooperatives, and other stakeholders demonstrates the power of collaboration and serves as an inspiration for how regional challenges can be met with collective action and innovative solutions.