Lessons in Sustainable Dairy Farming to Kenyan Dairy Sector from the DutchDairy Sector

Abstract

Dutch dairy sector is a premier player in the global arena. The Dutch have also been associated with the world’s most productive dairy cattle in Friesian-Holstein. There are many important breakthroughs on sustainable intensification and successful running of a dairy farm from the Dutch. Kenya on the other hand is just entering the transitionary phase in dairy development. It is already an important player in dairy farming in Africa whose production is second only after South Africa. There are several lessons that the dairy industry in Kenya may be able to learn in order to rise to its optimal potential. This paper, through an intensive interrogation of the Dutch dairy sector through; field excursions, group discussions, expert presentations, and lectures makes important situational analysis of the Dutch dairy sector and compares this to the Kenyan dairy industry situation. The Kenyan dairy industry situation was studied through a thorough desktop review of major government, Non-government organizations, discussions with experts and other major players in Kenyan dairy landscapes’ publications. This study makes cognizant the fact that in designing any interventions in the Kenyan dairy industry it is vital to understand the trends and the drivers that shape the dairy industry in Kenya. Based on these prevailing circumstances it has discussed the vital lessons that the Kenyan dairy sector may learn from the Dutch dairy industry to ensure that any gains from the improvement in the Kenyan dairy sector remains sustainable.