DAIRY PROGRAM
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Strategy
 The dairy program differs significantly from the other commodity programs due to supply issues – mainly the lack of an exportable product. With the conclusion of eight national dairy studies in 2004, conducted jointly by RATES and ECAPAPA, it was revealed that there is no country in COMESA that is self sufficient in milk products, and installed processing capacity has a regional average of only 30%. Domestic milk consumption is also very low averaging about 36 liter/ person throughout the COMESA region (compared to the WHO recommended consumption of 200 liter/ person). One may be tempted to conclude that the region doesn’t have an inter/extra “trade” problem since there is little to trade, but rather a domestic liquid milk production and consumption problem.
However, RATES has recognized that there is a need for free and transparent ebb and flow of milk products throughout the region based on seasonal supply highs and lows, along with a focus on value added processed goods (UHT, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream) that do have a regional market. This is a sound strategy to pursue, especially as it highlights impediments to trade that may inhibit increased production and consumption.
The RATES dairy program is focused on the removal of extra/inter-regional export market trade constraints and promoting intra-regional exports of dairy products. RATES works primarily through Eastern and Southern African Dairy Association (ESADA), a regional dairy organization that was formed in 2005.
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Key Activities
Activity 1. Develop Capacity of National Dairy Associations
Many national dairy associations under ESADA already receive some bilateral mission support and other donor assistance. However, many are still institutionally weak and not well organized.
RATES has dedicated targeted short-term technical assistance through Land O’Lakes to augment the ongoing efforts of national associations that focus on activities that will result in increased intra/extra regional trade.
RATES will include funds within the next ESADA Partners Fund grant to support national associations and their activities.
Activtiy 2. Support ESADA's Program to Address Product Quality, Health, and Safety
As part of activities within its strategic plan, ESADA is devoting significant resources to the delivery of member-demanded services including workshops and training that focus on the improvement of product quality, health, and safety within the market chain.
- RATES, through Land O’Lakes, will work with ESADA to develop the capacity to deliver member-demanded services including conducting workshops and training that focus on the improvement of product quality, health, and safety within the market chain.
- ESADA has recently received a grant through DANIDA to develop training courses for smallholder farmers through dairy training institutions and local universities. RATES will assist ESADA in developing this activity through a short-term consultancy with Moses Nyabila, the former RATES dairy specialist.
Activity 3. Explore Options for the Sustainability of ESADA as a Regional Institution
RATES will continue to work with the Secretariat to develop a fundraising campaign and submit specific proposals for donor and private sector consideration.
- RATES will engage a short-term consultant to work with ESADA on identifying funding options and preparing concept papers and proposals for submission.
- RATES will support ESADA in planning and holding the fourth African ,Dairy Conference scheduled for May 2008 in Nairobi, Kenya. ESADA will engage Ms. Bellingeri under direct contract as the event organizer. ESADA will hold this year’s conference in conjunction with the annual Kenya Livestock Fair being organized by the Kenya Livestock Breeders Association (KLBA). ESADA and KLBA will work together to make this the largest dairy event ever held in the region.
Deliverables
- At least two leadership/management training courses developed and conducted at the national-level/subregional level.
- Direct private sector involvement in the national-level dairy policy implementation process increased.
- Three clustered training programscarried out by ESADA on quality, saftey and health
- Annual regional dairy conference and exhibition held in 2008
- At least one additional funding source identified for ESADA by the end of the extension period
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Program Highlights
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Upcoming Events
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Reports & Papers
www.dairyafrica.com/documents.asp (will open in a new window)
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