ABOUT KDSCP
KDSCP is a 5-year effort to improve the competitiveness of Kenya’s dairy industry and
create growth amongst small holder farmers. It is implemented by Land O’ Lakes, Inc.,
with the financial and technical support of USAID. It contributes to the USAID Strategic
Objective 7.0 on “Increased Rural Household Incomes.”
the problem
Limited access to relevant and affordable inputs, technology, training and finance defined the dairy
sector In Kenya. This was exacerbated by the weaknesss of public institutions, inappropriate
policies and poor infrastructure. At the farmer level high transactions costs coupled with blockages
in information and a lack of market orientation (needs & trends) meant that farmers lacked power in
their sector.
Production efficiency and quality constraints relating to feed and breeds were hampering
production. Poor access to relevant and affordable technical services, appropriate technology and
quality inputs (such as artificial insemination, feed management techniques, hygiene know-how and
disease control) limited quality of production at farm level.
The sector was defined by general lack information, skills and business know-how at all levels to
compete effectively in the market. In addition overall costs of processing were high due to high
transport and electricity costs and out of date equipment. Processing capacity was limited and in
some cases a complete lack of infrastructure for milk cooling and storage also assured low quality.
Seasonality of supply compounded these issues.
Policy constraints (outdated legislation and policy frameworks), unclear institutional roles and a lack
of a well-articulated vision for the sector assured poor resource allocation and weak implementation
of standards.
KDSCP understood that the outreach of a range of relevant and timely services was essential for the
success of small scale dairy enterprises and that horizontal and vertical linkages must be
development in a manner that ensures that the desire, skills and momentum for change is
maintained beyond the life of the donor funded program.
the solution
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