A new partnership to develop a dairy processing plant in Kenya's Rift Valley has been agreed between non-governmental development agency Gorta and Irish dairy processor Glenisk.
The new dairy processing facility, financially supported by Gorta, will use Glenisk expertise in creating employment and developing skills in the region.
Details of the partnership were announced this morning at the Gorta annual World Food Day Conference at the Clyde Court Hotel in Dublin. The partnership will see Gorta and Glenisk working with farmers to build and develop small farm businesses. The aim is that the small farms would supply a regular delivery of quality milk for processing, resulting in a much improved income for local families.
The community in Keringet, Kenya, has already been involved with Gorta in a programme of social and business development that aims to establish sustainable social enterprise in the region. The first new business initiative was a yogurt-making facility, and production has already started on a small scale.
This year's World Food Day addresses the theme of agricultural co-operatives which put people at the centre of their operations and so help their members achieve shared social, cultural and economic aspirations. The conference also explores the theme of farmers acting collectively to take better advantage of market opportunities and lessen the negative effects of food insecurity and other crises.
According to Gorta chief executive Brian Hanratty, “Gorta has always encouraged business involvement in Africa and is delighted that a hugely successful company like Glenisk have agreed to invest their business development skills, processing experience and advice in this initiative. It will give the people in Keringet [Kenya] an opportunity to create a sustainable social enterprise that will have knock-on effects for the entire community.
“The very ethos of Gorta is one of sustainable development in communities most in need. This is another example of a working and developing partnership that will deliver real and lasting results through job creation, providing a much needed income for families in the Keringet area,” he added.
