Irish Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, launched a joint Ireland-Kenya dairy project at a ceremony in Nairobi in Nov 2019. This 30-month project entitled ‘Climate Smart Research and Innovation for Livestock Development in Kenya with a focus on Dairying’ is part of the Ireland-Kenya Agri-food Strategy (2017-2021).

Granted €1m in funding by the Embassy of Ireland in Kenya, an Irish-Kenyan consortium will begin a unique proof-of-concept project focusing on the roles of genetics and fodder in sustainable dairy farming.

Commenting on the project Minister Humphreys said “This project is a wonderful example of our strategy to share Ireland’s agri-food knowledge and experience for the benefit of both Ireland and Kenya. It draws on years of Irish investment in dairying expertise by our Government and offers Kenya the opportunity to fast-track the use of the latest technologies and tools to improve decision-making for farmers and processors. As well as delivering benefits for the sector in Kenya, it will also open up new export opportunities for Irish skills and agri-tech.” Minister Humphreys is leading an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Kenya featuring a range of Irish agri-tech companies in addition to the national organisations present.

The project is led by Teagasc in partnership with its Kenyan counterpart, the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO). Project support will be provided by Self Help Africa, Sustainable Food Systems Ireland (SFSI) and Greenfield International. The team will work closely with Brookside Dairy Ltd. (Kenya’s largest dairy processor) and a number of smaller dairy co-operatives, as well as the County Extension Services.