The project will allow to improve the sustainable farming practices of over 5,000 women smallholder dairy farmers
Corteva and Land O’Lakes Venture37 have established alliance to enhance dairy production in Kenya. (Credit: Wolfgang Ehrecke from Pixabay)
Pure-play agriculture company Corteva Agriscience, along with Land O’Lakes Venture37, has created an alliance to address dairy shortages in Kenya.
The alliance also includes Bidco Land O’Lakes Forage Genetics International (FGI) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), in addition to Corteva and Land O’Lakes Venture37.
As part of a two-year programme, the alliance members will focus on enhancing dairy production in central Kenya.
The project will enable to improve the sustainable farming practices of over 5,000 women smallholder dairy farmers, as well as address the annual 2.2 billion litre shortage of dairy products in the country.
The move will help enhance the supply of nutritional dairy products to local communities
The move will help improve the supply of nutritional dairy products to local communities, as well as guide women smallholder farmers in methods that reinforce nutrient-rich forages production.
It will allow delivering efficient feed products, including corn silage and hay, for dairy cattle to improve milk production and minimise the production cost of those dairy products.
The alliance brings together Corteva’s leadership in agricultural inputs and support of smallholder farmers with FGI’s private sector leadership in the forage industry.
ILRI will deliver its locally-based and forage R&D capabilities and livestock management practices to the programme, while Land O’Lakes Venture37 will use its wide experience to adapt advanced technologies and techniques to the smallholder farmer level and enable last-mile delivery of key inputs.
Bidco Land O’Lakes is a Kenya-based feed manufacturer that works with all collaborators to provide compound feed to complete effective forages.
Corteva Agriscience East Africa commercial unit leader Joseph Anampiu said: “Consumption is projected to nearly double to 220 liters by 2030, backed by a milk demand growth rate of seven percent per annum.
“As a leader in agricultural innovation and a collaborator with farmers, we are committed to provide tools and training to help increase yield stability, optimise inputs, and improve climate resilience.”
In June, Corteva unveiled its 2030 sustainability goals to implement several initiatives for farmers, the land, communities, and its operations.
Recently, Corteva Agriscience has opened a new multi-crop and multipurpose research centre in Szeged, Hungary.