Smallholder milk losses, innovative solutions, and the quest for scale

Currently valued at KES 184 billion (USD 1.84 billion) and contributing an estimated 4-8% of the national GDP, 14% of agricultural GDP and 44% of livestock GDP, the dairy value chain is one of the most dynamic sectors in Kenya and critical to the country’s economy. With approximately 1.8 to 2 million dairy farmers and over 4.5 million dairy cows, Kenya is well-known as one of Africa’s biggest milk producers, contributing 30-40% of the 5% that Africa produces into the global numbers. The country has an annual milk production of 5.2 billion litres against an annual demand of 5.4 billion litres and