Airtea Project Trains Women And Youth Champions At Mkulima Bora Farmers C.s In Runyenjes, Embu County

By Admin

Embu County, 6th–10th February 2023

The AIRTEA Project conducted a Training of Trainers (ToT) for women and youth champions at Mkulima Bora Farmers Co-operative Society (C.S) in Runyenjes, Embu County from 6th to 10th February 2023. The five-day training focused on economic services, improved animal nutrition, and breeding programs, equipping participants with knowledge and skills to cascade best practices to fellow dairy farmers in their communities.

The training is part of the AIRTEA project initiative “Leveraging the Benefits of Multi-Stakeholders Partnership to Support Rural Women and Youth in the Dairy Sector in Kenya”, implemented in Kenya by the Co-operative Alliance of Kenya (CAK). The project aims to strengthen the capacity of cooperatives, empower women and youth, and promote sustainable dairy farming practices.

Empowering Local Champions for Dairy Development

The ToT targeted selected women and youth leaders within Mkulima Bora Farmers C.S who are expected to serve as local champions for knowledge transfer. By training trainers, the AIRTEA project ensures that innovations, technical skills, and practical solutions reach a wider network of smallholder dairy farmers, fostering sustainability and peer-to-peer learning.

Participants engaged in hands-on sessions and demonstrations, covering key areas such as:

  • Provision of economic services through cooperatives
  • Techniques for improved animal nutrition to enhance milk productivity and health
  • Breeding programs, including artificial insemination and improved stock management
  • Cooperative governance, record keeping, and milk quality improvement

Practical Learning and Peer Engagement

The training emphasised interactive learning and peer exchange, allowing participants to share experiences, discuss challenges, and propose practical solutions for the dairy sector. Women and youth champions practiced facilitation techniques to prepare for training other farmers within their communities.

Discussions highlighted the critical role of women and youth in driving innovation, income generation, and leadership in dairy cooperatives. The training also reinforced how cooperatives like Mkulima Bora serve as vital platforms for mobilising farmers, aggregating milk, providing advisory services, and linking farmers to markets.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the training, participants demonstrated enhanced skills and confidence to train fellow farmers on economic services, animal nutrition, and breeding programs. The ToT is expected to contribute to:

  • Increased milk productivity and quality
  • Strengthened cooperative operations and service delivery
  • Improved livelihoods and incomes of women and youth dairy farmers
  • Enhanced knowledge transfer and peer learning networks

Looking Ahead

The Mkulima Bora ToT is part of a broader capacity-building effort across Embu, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, and Nyeri counties under the AIRTEA project. These initiatives aim to empower women and youth champions, scale innovations, and ensure inclusive, sustainable growth within the dairy sector.

At the close of the training, participants gathered for a group photo outside, symbolising their commitment to applying the skills gained, supporting fellow farmers, and contributing to a resilient and inclusive dairy sector in Embu County and beyond.