KDB partners ILRI to launch MoreMILK project to improve milk safety, compliance

KENYA – Kenya Dairy Board and the International Livestock Research Institute have launched the MoreMILK Project, an initiative aimed at addressing key challenges in Kenya’s informal dairy sector. 

Reported by stakeholders during the launch, the project seeks to enhance milk safety, improve regulatory compliance, and ensure better handling practices in the sector. 

MoreMILK will run from September 2024 to August 2028, focusing on increasing the availability of safe, affordable, and quality milk for consumers.

A report by the implementing partners highlights that the project will introduce a certification scheme to support small milk businesses in their transition into competitive and compliant enterprises. 

According to the report, these businesses will be guided to meet regulatory standards while maintaining the affordability of their products. 

Stakeholders have emphasized that safety remains a primary concern, particularly in the sale of unpackaged milk, which is widely consumed but often exposed to contamination risks. 

The project aims to create a structured framework that encourages vendors to adopt improved handling and processing methods.

According to the report, the certification scheme will promote pasteurization and encourage vendors to source milk from approved suppliers. 

Businesses participating in the scheme will be required to obtain Kenya Dairy Board permits and county licenses, a move expected to enhance formalization within the informal sector.

Experts have noted that increasing the number of vendors selling pasteurized milk will not only protect consumer health but also boost confidence in locally sourced dairy products.

A report by project coordinators indicates that the initiative will also support vendors in increasing their daily milk sales and revenue. 

Stakeholders expect that structured training and certification will help vendors build trust with consumers, leading to higher demand for safe milk. 

The implementation team has outlined strategies to ensure that milk density and freshness, key factors influencing consumer preferences, remain central to the project’s success.

In addition to improving business viability, the initiative aims to strengthen gender equity in the informal dairy sector. 

Reported by the project team, the intervention will particularly focus on empowering female vendors, who form a significant portion of small-scale milk traders. 

By equipping them with better business practices and regulatory knowledge, the project seeks to enhance their economic opportunities.

According to the Kenya Dairy Board, the MoreMILK Project represents a major step in integrating informal dairy businesses into the formal market. 

Experts have emphasized that a gradual transition will be necessary to ensure sustainability and long-term compliance. 

With the project’s implementation set to begin in September, stakeholders have expressed optimism that it will contribute significantly to food safety and economic growth within Kenya’s dairy industry.