By Noah Ngetich, Lobby and Grant Expert, FFT Project
A small-holder dairy cooperative in Kenya is poised to revolutionize its industry thanks to a strategic partnership with Agriterra and the United States Africa Development Foundation (USADF). Mangu Progressive Dairy Co-Operative Society, located in Gatundu North, Kiambu County, has secured a grant of EUR 89,930 to invest in milk pasteurization and value-added products.
The journey began in 2023 when Agriterra's Farmer Focused Transformation (FFT) project lead, CPA Wilfred Chepkwony, and Dutch agri-pooler Jan Van Beekhuizen, conducted a thorough assessment of Mangu Dairy. They identified the cooperative's immense potential for growth and provided invaluable guidance on internal and external financing strategies
With Agriterra's technical support, Mangu Dairy successfully submitted a USD 250,000 grant proposal to USADF. The proposal aimed to fund infrastructure development, milk pasteurization equipment, yoghurt production, governance training, and more. In November 2023, the cooperative was shortlisted for further evaluation and ultimately awarded the grant.
Noah Ngetich, Agriterra's Lobby and Grant Expert, Diana Macharia, and Fatuma Akumu (Cooperative Advisors), played a pivotal role in preparing Mangu Dairy for success. They provided training on pitch development, board governance, and internal capitalisation to ensure the cooperative was well-equipped for donor assessments
Agriterra's support extended beyond securing the grant. The organisation facilitated exchange visits and supported the hiring of extension officers to improve dairy productivity. In January 2024, Mangu Dairy hired two extension officers with Agriterra's assistance through Jobs, Jobs, Jobs, and in subsequent months, they received additional training in governance and productivity enhancement.
"Agriterra has been instrumental in our transformation" said Mr. Daniel Ngure Kabubi, the chair of Mangu Progressive Dairy Cooperative. "Their expertise and guidance have empowered us to take our business to the next level."
On August 26, 2024, Mangu Dairy's grant was officially approved. Agriterra continues to support the cooperative with post-grant assistance, tracking progress and helping to secure future funding to further the growth of the cooperative along the dairy value chain.
This collaboration marks a new era of opportunity for Mangu Dairy. By investing in milk value addition and sustainable growth, the cooperative is not only improving the livelihoods of its members but also contributing to the development of Kenya's dairy sector and the structural transformation of the rural areas.