OUR STORY
APEX CONSULTANTS
'Now farmers do things for themselves, they come together and put sense
into the choices they make. The program leaves strong cooperatives on
ground. Even if we closed today they will all continue. They even going to
banks for loans and employ staff as a contact point to give advice, thus
reducing our hands on interventions overtime'.
Lucy Nguru.
Meet Lucy Nguru
Apex Consultants has been engaged with KDSCP since its inception and has successfully facilitated activities in 2
key milk sheds and engaged 70,000 farmers with numerous industry actors and service providers. Apex
Consultants tell us about the program results and learning from a local facilitator’s perspective...
"The program has delivered some great successes like the fact that cooperatives and members are
empowered to do business and engage commercially with service providers . It was tough in the beginning but
we made it clear from mobilization that we will not pay subsidies. A few cooperatives declined to work with us
but the ones that came on board are happy today. I know that things will move on without ongoing facilitation
from ourselves'.
Benefits
Production has increased from 2 liters per cow to 8-13
depending on area, plus local farmers are selling morning
and evening milk with bulking both at the collection and
cooperative level.
Production increased due to enhanced feeding and improved
breeding and health (e.g. vaccinations) via links with the
Ministry of Livestock and private service providers.
In one milk shed, some 30,000 farmers are now selling milk
through their local cooperative to local processors and
purchasing services for the coop on a check off system.
Local facilitation ensured supply of quality milk to
processors, with processors getting involved in field days to
educate farmers in milk quality and management issues.
Processors are working at full capacity even during the dry
spell.
Contracts between farmers and processors have been
facilitated and proper payment systems put in place.
Facilitation of services from local providers has led to
commercial sales of over 5,000 AI units on one milk shed.
Fodder tree establishment and use of sweet potato vines
helps to stop erosion and are environmentally friendly
approaches.
Working with KENFAP and SNV on introduction of biogas
means that many women now have free gas for cooking.
The milk shed working groups have enabled regular
engagement which improves as KDB take over facilitation.
Coops have bought 3 new coolers without donor support
either via loans or savings.
Farmers are engaging in CDF meetings resulting in local road
improvements.
Lessons
Facilitators should not work alone but must identify who can
best provide a service and then link the actors and ensure that
deliver happens.
Work with the Kenya Livestock Breeders Organization led to
the registration of cows in the stud book (and traceability),
sometimes doubling the value of the animal.
Facilitation includes ensuring that service provision is close and
local.
Work with the Ministry of Cooperatives to strengthen coop
management systems and promote their institutional role and
responsibilities to farmers and SBOs.
Mobilization of farmers is important as strong producers are
required. The program assists to form self-help groups and
transition to becoming a cooperative by supporting registration
and setting up systems.
The launch of the program in each milk shed brought together
key sector actors where LOL explained the capacity building
approach.
Encourage a mentality of paying for quality services and inputs.
Let providers train farmers for free via the cooperatives, as a
marketing activity.
Deliberate actions must be undertaken to empower women as
they deliver the milk to the market but the resources are held
by men
If communities are well facilitated, without handouts, they can
take up the activities and continue to learn, they have the
resources to build their businesses.
More time is required to bring on more farmers and deepen
the program in each milk shed.
The SBOs still require facilitation to access business
development support.
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