- Recruitment and sensitization of potential farmers
- Identification and naming of the dairy block /clusters.
- Managing the Chilling Plant Transition
- Supervision/oversight role of the Plant’s construction progress
- Identification of potential farmers from blocks to join the management committee.
- On-going networking for capacity and awareness on the collection, marketing and management system for the new hub
The dairy farmer blocks that have so far been established have clear management structures:
KORU – MUHORONI ZONE
OSIEPE has been joined by a new mutual partner – Equity Foundation who are keen to support additional farmer capacity development, digitization of services among others. A total of 539 farmers have been met (about 75% of the target). The number is growing with an indication that initial milk supply will likely surpass target at commissioning. A farmer registration template is in use to feed into the digitized hub platform.
The summary of the data collected so far indicates a total of 4,800 litres daily milk supplied has been secured comprising:
- Smallholder dairy farmers (non-OSIEPE members): 1800 litres
- OSIEPE members: 1000 litres
- Private large-scale farmers: Over 2000 litres
Negotiations are on with other suppliers including more private farmers and LBDA on contracting for milk supply to the plant.
As we consolidate the milk collection contracting, mobilization, public participation and capacity building our focus shifts to sustaining supply and securing markets, expanding the fodder value chain with mechanization plans at advanced stages. Efforts are also on to improve AI for increased daily milk productivity.