Cak Presents Airtea Project Brief At Wakulima Dairy Farmers Co-operative Society

By Admin

Nyeri County, 2nd June 2022

The Co-operative Alliance of Kenya (CAK) presented a detailed project brief on the AIRTEA Project – Leveraging the Benefits of Multi-Stakeholders Partnership to Support Rural Women and Youths in the Dairy Sector in Kenya at Wakulima Dairy Farmers Co-operative Society (FCS) on 2nd June 2022. The briefing brought together cooperative officials, dairy farmers, and local stakeholders to share information about project objectives, expected outcomes, and the role of women and youth in strengthening the dairy value chain.

Overview of the AIRTEA Project

The CAK team highlighted that the AIRTEA project is implemented in Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, coordinated by FARA in partnership with ASARECA and EAFF, with funding from the European Union under the OACPS programme. The project aims to enhance rural livelihoods by promoting inclusive research and innovation within the dairy sector, with a focus on empowering women and youth farmers.

Project Goals and Objectives

During the briefing, the team presented the project’s overall objective of achieving sustainable agrarian livelihoods and rural transformation. Specific objectives shared included:

  • Increased participation of women and youth in multi-stakeholder innovation platforms
  • Adoption of technologies, knowledge, and innovations by stakeholders in Agricultural Business Learning Alliance (ABLA) platforms
  • Improved profitability and employment opportunities along dairy value chains

Opportunities for Cooperative Members

Members of Wakulima Dairy FCS were informed about practical interventions designed to improve milk production and quality, strengthen cooperative management, and enhance access to markets and financial services. The briefing emphasized the key role of cooperatives in mobilizing farmers, aggregating milk, providing advisory and economic services, and creating sustainable partnerships within the dairy sector.

The CAK team also highlighted the importance of collaboration among strategic partners, including research institutions, government agencies, private sector actors, and financial service providers, to ensure successful project implementation.

Expected Impact

The briefing noted that the AIRTEA project is expected to:

  • Increase milk productivity among participating farmers
  • Improve incomes for women and youth dairy farmers
  • Strengthen governance and performance of cooperatives
  • Promote sustainable and inclusive practices across the dairy value chain

Engagement and Next Steps

The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, during which cooperative members shared experiences, asked questions, and explored ways to actively participate in the AIRTEA project. Participants expressed confidence that the project would address challenges related to milk production, market access, and capacity building for women and youth.

The CAK team reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with Wakulima Dairy FCS and other partner cooperatives to ensure effective implementation of the AIRTEA project in Kenya.