Airtea Innovation Platform Meeting Opens With Focus On Strengthening Dairy Value Chain Partnerships

By Admin

Nyeri, 5th October 2022

The AIRTEA Project Innovation Platform (IP) Meeting officially commenced on 5th October 2022 at the White Rhino Hotel in Nyeri, bringing together key actors from the dairy sector to strengthen collaboration and promote inclusive solutions for women and youth in dairy farming.

The meeting was held under the AIRTEA Project – Leveraging the Benefits of Multi-Stakeholders Partnership to Support Rural Women and Youth in the Dairy Sector in Kenya, a regional initiative implemented in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. The project is coordinated by FARA, in partnership with ASARECA and EAFF, with funding from the European Union through the OACPS programme. The AIRTEA project runs for 48 months from February 2021 to January 2025.

Setting the Stage for Collaboration

Day One of the Innovation Platform Meeting focused on establishing a shared understanding of the project objectives, expected outcomes, and the roles of different stakeholders in driving impact along the dairy value chain. Participants included representatives from dairy cooperatives, government institutions, private sector partners, financial service providers, regulators, and development organisations.

Discussions emphasised the importance of inclusive research and innovation as a foundation for achieving sustainable agrarian livelihoods and rural transformation in East Africa. Particular attention was given to the need for deliberate strategies that increase the participation of women and youth in innovation platforms and decision-making processes.

CAK’s Implementation Focus in Kenya

In Kenya, the project is being implemented by the Co-operative Alliance of Kenya (CAK), targeting six dairy cooperatives across Embu, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua and Nyeri counties. The initiative aims to improve incomes, food and nutrition security, and overall livelihoods of women and youth dairy farmers through strengthened multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Presentations during the first day highlighted the role of cooperatives as critical entry points for mobilising farmers, aggregating milk, delivering economic services, and building sustainable networks across the dairy value chain.

Role of Strategic Partners

Day One sessions outlined the contributions of key strategic partners supporting the project. These include the Kenya Animal Genetic Resource Centre (KAGRC), Perfometer Agribusiness Limited, New Kenya Co-operative Creameries Ltd (New KCC), Co-op Consultancy & Bancassurance Intermediary Ltd (CCBI), the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Co-operatives at national and county levels, and the Kenya Dairy Board.

Participants noted that strong coordination among these actors is essential for improving milk productivity, strengthening service delivery, and enhancing access to markets and finance for smallholder dairy farmers.

Expectations from the Innovation Platform

The opening day concluded with discussions on the expected outcomes of the project, including increased milk productivity, improved performance of dairy cooperatives, enhanced capacities of women and youth, and the establishment of a functional multi-stakeholder platform (MSP) for the dairy value chain.

As the meeting progressed into subsequent days, stakeholders expressed optimism that the Innovation Platform would generate practical solutions, foster shared learning, and strengthen partnerships to support a more inclusive and resilient dairy sector in Kenya.