Milk is one of the products that is consumed by about 90% of Kenyan households on a daily basis. The milk consumed is mainly from those who own cows or bought from the local shops. Informal markets account for around 80% of milk sold in Kenya. Most of the milk is sold raw (unpasteurized) and unpackaged, though some milk in informal markets may be sold after having been boiled and, increasingly, even pasteurized through small scale pasteurization units that are also informal.
The informal milk sector is the most preferred because it’s cheaper, convenient, and is sold in small quantities that suit the consumers’ purchasing power. However, in some instances there are safety concerns in the informal milk market where the mil is adulterated on not hygienically handled .Having realized that need, 3E supported the Mau Juhudi Self Help Group to set up a milk bar that will sell quality milk to the consumers while still observing the safety regulation. The organization linked them with farmers who were already trained on milk handling and safety, who were actually practicing that. The Mau Juhudi SHG was formed by 13 like-minded dairy farmers whose aim was to market their milk product directly and escape the brokers who buy at exploitative prices.
The Mau Juhudi SHG, was supported to set up the milk bar, operationalization and a training on milk handling and safety. The Milk bar started with selling an average of 13 liters per day early 2023. There has been a gradual increase in milk sales. And the collection now is around 2,500 liters per month. As more and more people started knowing the milk bar, sales started to grow. The milk bar has already applied for the licenses that will allow them to operate fully and are in the final stages.Through the project Milk Bora, the group was also trained on value addition. The training entailed Cheese making, whereby the group learnt to make six different types of cheese (ricotta, mozzarella, Caciotta, Nostrano, Robiola and pre-mosale) and they learnt how to make yogurt. They have been making yogurt and fermented milk locally known as ‘Mala’. The cheese has not found a good market and is mostly prepared on order but they are still trying to see if they can get a local market in the area. The groups’ make an average monthly sale of 147, 292 Kenyan shillings. The amount is able to cater for their fixed costs such as rent and other expenses that arise and still remain with a profit.
When we met 3E we had not foreseen that we would hit all these milestones. We had a vision and they held our hands and have supported us fully and we greatly appreciate the support. We aim to gradually become the go to shop for dairy products. We are planning to expand our milk collection daily because we have new farmers who are interested in supplying the milk bar with quality milk. We appreciate the partnership we have with 3E and the support they have accorded so far.We are positive that we will start a cooperative soon that will solve the problem of milk marketing
Said Mr. Njoroge, the chairperson of the group.
Milk marketing is a potential high-income venture that if properly done can fetch income for households in Molo sub county. As we work with the community we hope to see the impact created on the Mau Juhudi SHG and other small-scale dairy farmers. Impacting small-scale dairy farmers is what we aim for.
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