July 12, 2024

Creating Opportunities: Empowering Youth While Enhancing Dairy Farming in Meru County, Kenya

Animal Production Related

Kenya

The dairy industry in Kenya is expanding rapidly, attracting entrepreneurs from various backgrounds. However, many new dairy farmers face a significant challenge: the lack of skilled workers to manage their farms effectively. This shortage of trained dairy farm attendants leads to inefficiencies and losses, discouraging potential investment in dairy farming.

To address this, Meru Dairy Union (MDU), in partnership with 2SCALE, collaborated with Meru Youth Service (MYS) and Meru National Polytechnic. The aim was to bridge a crucial skills gap in the dairy industry while providing meaningful employment for Meru County’s youth.

The journey began in June 2023, with the recruitment of 77 young individuals, interested in dairy farming, from vulnerable households across Meru County. These youth were enrolled in a three-week paramilitary training program by Meru Youth Service, funded by the County Government of Meru. The paramilitary training focused on instilling discipline, changing attitudes, detoxifying participants from substance use, and building self-esteem. These youth were also trained on essential skills such as emergency response, drug abuse awareness, command-taking, discipline, entrepreneurship, and communication.

Following the paramilitary training, the youth took a two-month college-based training at Meru Polytechnic. The institution developed a Dairy Farm Attendant curriculum tailored to dairy industry’s needs and approved by the Technical and Vocational Training Authority (TVETA) in Kenya. It covered a wide range of topics, including dairy cow rearing, feed formulation, milking techniques for both manual and machine-assisted, record-keeping, fodder production, heat detection, and dairy value addition.

To complement their theoretical knowledge, the trainees underwent a one-month field practice in September 2023. This practical experience, facilitated by the Business Support Service Provider (BSS), SPARD Africa, was essential for preparing them for real-world dairy farming challenges. The field attachment took place on farms selected based on their milk deliveries to MDU, focusing on those delivering over 100 litres. This ensured that the trainees gained experience on farms with substantial operations.

Rachel Kinyua, a lead dairy farmer who adopted one of the male youths for training, shares,

Having a trained Dairy Farm Attendant has made a big difference on my farm. The knowledge and skills he brought have contributed to improving our productivity and efficiency. The discipline he has is also impressive.

On the 21st of June 2024, 64 of the 73 students (49 male and 24 female) who completed the Dairy Farm Attendant course successfully graduated. By the end of June 2024, 60 of them had secured employment, marking a significant achievement for the initiative.

The training program has been incredibly beneficial, not just for the youth, but for the dairy sector as a whole. The skills these young people have acquired are essential for modern dairy farming. As a dairy farmer myself, I took in two of them for attachment and have now fully employed one. We are excited for the next cohort.

Gatobu Rarama, a training facilitator and lecturer at Meru National Polytechnic, explains.

Dorcas' Story: From Farm Attendant to Manager

After completing her training, 21-year-old Dorcas Gakii secured employment at Marimba Farm in January 2024. The farm, which houses 52 cows, employs six workers, including Dorcas. Within a month of starting her job, Dorcas was promoted to the position of Farm Manager. In her new role, she oversees all operations, including time management for farm activities, preparing cattle feeding schedules, budgeting, and record-keeping.

Dorcas shares her experience,

Being promoted to Manager so quickly was both exciting and challenging. I took on managerial responsibilities, but I still work alongside the other farm workers in fodder production and preservation, farm cleaning, and more. The skills I gained during my training, especially on feeds, have allowed me to improve production on the farm significantly. When I started, we were getting 240-250 litres of milk per day. Now, we’re up to 360 litres a day.

Beyond her professional achievements, Dorcas is also proud of her financial independence. She adds,

I’m happy that I earn an income now. I don’t have to rely on my parents for pocket money, and I can now support my brother, who is in high school, with his fees.

Ian Duncan: From Mechanic to Dairy Enthusiast

Ian Duncan Mathew, aged 24, used to work as a mechanic before joining Meru Youth Service (MYS). Ian had always been passionate about dairy farming, and when he learned about the training offered by MYS and Meru Polytechnic, he seized the opportunity. After completing the course and his attachment, Ian secured employment at the very farm where he trained. His dedication and hard work during the attachment impressed the farm owner and other workers on the farm, leading to a full-time position.

Ian explains,

I used to make a living working as a mechanic, learning on the job, but my heart was always in dairy farming. This program gave me the skills and the chance to pursue my passion. My dream is to be the biggest of milk suppliers and I am now closer to achieving this dream. I’m grateful for the opportunity and happy to finally start my journey in the dairy industry.

Jackline: From Casual Work to a Stable Job

23-year-old Jackline Mukiri used to earn a living by taking casual jobs from local government offices. The irregular nature of these jobs meant she often went weeks without income. When she started her attachment, she was determined to succeed.

I took my work seriously and made sure to create a good rapport with the farm owner and other workers. I applied everything we had been taught, from attending to the farm efficiently to practicing good communication skills. I always followed up with my boss for feedback,

Jackline shares.

Her hard work paid off. After completing her attachment, Jackline was offered a full-time job on the same farm.

I believe it was my hardwork and obvious love for the job that secured me the position. Now, I have a guaranteed salary and regular income, which allows me to provide for myself and my daughter. From my earnings, I saved enough to buy a cow in May 2024. This is the start of my own farm. It's an additional win because I don't need to buy milk for my daughter, who loves drinking milk.

she says.

While the initiative has made a significant impact, challenges remain. A few trainees dropped out along the way. Additionally, some participants faced difficulties committing fully to the attachment due to personal circumstances, such as lack of childcare while they worked. Meru Polytechnic took steps to support these individuals, ensuring they received the necessary assistance to complete their training. For instance, the young ladies with children were placed in the university’s farm, which allowed them to work while taking care of their children. Securing jobs after completing the course was also a challenge, but the institution supported by linking the students to potential employers.

The collaboration between 2SCALE, MDU, MYS, and Meru National Polytechnic demonstrates how a synergy of efforts can drive positive change. By addressing the skills gap in the Kenyan dairy industry and empowering youth with practical training, this initiative is laying the foundation for sustainable growth and prosperity in Kenya's dairy industry, cultivating a brighter future for the sector and the young individuals it supports.

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