Blueprint elements
LOL promoted a milk shed development model to
encourage collection of 50,000 to 100,000 liters or
more from multiple collection centers within a given
milk shed. The approach maximizes farm
productivity, collection and transport efficiencies to
reduce costs and install best quality assurance
practices throughout the milk shed.
TEAM STRUCTURE
Critical to success is having the right program team with the ability to operate across different cultures; that
of the development field and that of the local environment. The program required individuals with flexibility
and creativity; with knowledge of the private sector, markets thinking and approaches as well as an
understanding of the dairy sector. This must be encompassed in a permanent program team designed with
the right mix of skills, experience and personalities and supplemented with external resources.
The super facilitators team comprised of just three core staff; a chief technical advisor with strong
experience in private sector development, a M&E expert and a contract expert.
BUSINESS MODELS
KDSCP focuses on sustainability at all levels by ensuring that a clear and credible offer is made to the
market players in terms of the potential value added by engagement with the super facilitator and the
intervention.
PRE-CONDITIONS
Each new country or region will look different in regards to the diversity and competitiveness of the dairy
industry. Whether the sector is liberalized and for how long, plus the number of farmers, supporting
institutions and investors, are all issues in determining the important characteristics of the industry required
for such a program. The level of competition and commercial interaction in the industry must also be taken
into consideration. The ideal environment would be defined by liberalization and competitiveness in the
sector.
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT STYLE
Much of KDSCP's achievement can be attributed to the adoption of an incremental, non-prescriptive and
participatory approach that allowed strategic ways forward to emerge from market tests, lessons leant and
business partnerships entered into. One of the most important elements contributing to its strength has
been the degree of flexibility, responsiveness and innovation that has been allowed in operation of the
management team. KDSCP has learnt through engagement, in dialogue and via pilot initiatives. The
management approach can be summarized as follows:
• The controlled use of ”light-touch” facilitation
• A strong element of managerial continuity
• Stability in terms of continuous mentoring and technical advice
• Strong, clear vision and flexible implementation
The project has challenged conventional formal intervention identification, design and implementation. It has
sensitively evolved by re-structuring, shifting focus and refining operations in response to the market. Much
of what the program has achieved is due to the fact that it has not been subject to rigid, mechanistic
structures and pressure to achieve quick results.
PROGRAM APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY
The program adopted a facilitative approach that involved using indirect interventions such as networking,
player alignment, intelligence and awareness building. Its approach is about catalyzing, initiating, motivating
and linking to stimulate the market. The program recognized that it must not become a market player and
should not play a direct role in the market system. A super facilitator is external to the market and is funded
by a donor to expand and improve one or more particular markets for the benefit of specific target groups.
The program has exercised discipline by matching interventions to the level of the market, emphasizing
technical assistance over financial inflows, and maintaining a low profile. It has implemented light touch
interventions with little financial support to market players with a commitment to sustainability. It is about
getting others to do things via a strong understanding of and engagement with the market; and by adopting
a “sensitive” approach which encourages local ownership. It has remained flexible and responsive and
focused on the „why‟ and „how‟ rather than what the program does.
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