Makueni Dairy Cooperatives receives USD 61,822 to strengthen dairy sector

KENYA – The National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) has invested USD 61,822 (KES 7,975,000) in six dairy farmers’ cooperative societies in Makueni.

This program is under the Drought Mitigation Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) to strengthen livestock farmers’ resilience during the ongoing dry spell.

The grants are intended to improve farmers’ access to quality livestock feeds and veterinary inputs following the failed October–November–December rains in 2025.

Through the intervention, cooperatives will procure and resell essential inputs such as hay bales, mineral licks, dairy and range cubes, cotton hulls and dewormers to sustain milk production and protect farmer incomes.

Speaking during a cheque issuance to Kibwezi Dairy Farmers Cooperative on Wednesday, Agriculture CECM Elizabeth Muli said the initiative will help stabilize dairy productivity and ensure livestock remain well nourished as farmers await the next rainy season.

She urged the cooperatives to adhere strictly to grant guidelines and ensure prudent use of the funds.

Other beneficiary cooperatives include Kitise Farmers Cooperative, Makiou Farmers Dairy Cooperative, Twakima Farmers Cooperative, Kibwezi East Farmers Cooperative and Kalawa Dairy Farmers Cooperative.

UNESCO recognizes dairy cooperative model as world cultural heritage

Recently, UNESCO officially recognized the dairy cooperative model as intangible cultural heritage, highlighting its vital role in supporting the livelihoods of dairy producers worldwide.

The global agribusiness community, particularly the international dairy sector, is celebrating UNESCO’s monumental decision to designate the cooperative model as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.

This formal recognition validates the profound and enduring societal value of these member-owned, democratic enterprises.

While the inclusion spans diverse industries, from specialized farming like cranberries to the foundational framework of the dairy industry, it confirms that the principles driving co-ops are worth preserving across the world’s most critical food supply chains.

This designation is particularly significant because it focuses not on physical structures or production technologies, but on the core principles and human practices of cooperation itself.

The recognized value lies in the democratic governance structure of “one member, one vote,” the commitment to economic self-help, and the practice of reinvesting profits directly into the local communities and members.

This elevated status transforms the cooperative structure from a mere business framework into a protected cultural practice essential to fostering equitable and sustainable global growth.

For the vast global community of milk producers, the cooperative model is far more than an organizational choice; it is the primary economic engine that provides stability in volatile commodity markets.

To receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa, the Middle East and around the world, SUBSCRIBE HERE.