Brookside Dairy Boosts Farmer Incomes with Sh218 Million Reward, Up 53.5% from Last Year
Source: The DairyNews
In a significant move for dairy farming in Kenya, Brookside Dairy has announced a substantial cash reward payout of Sh218 million to its contracted farmers. This payout, which benefits dairy groups and individual farmers nationwide, marks a 53.5% increase from the previous year's figure during the same period. The reward, part of a structured scheme by Brookside, covers raw milk supplied between December 1, 2023, and May 31, 2024.
Emmanuel Kabaki, Brookside's General Manager for Milk Procurement, detailed that the rewards were issued to those who met or exceeded set targets in both the quantity and quality of milk supplied. "Our farmer groups and individual suppliers have shown exceptional dedication over the past six months, adhering to our quality and quantity guidelines," Kabaki stated.
Launched six years ago, the reward scheme by Brookside aims to recognize and appreciate the vital contributions of raw milk suppliers within the dairy value chain's upstream phase. As the processor's base of contracted farmers grows, so too has the payout, reflecting the increasing value these farmers bring to the company.
Kabaki highlighted the broader benefits of the reward scheme, noting its role in enhancing the quality of milk supplied and expanding the company's reach into high-value dairy products. "This reward not only strengthens our relationship with our 160,000 raw milk suppliers but also boosts the overall quality of our milk, enabling us to tap into more lucrative markets," he explained.
In addition to financial incentives, Brookside is actively involved in capacity building among its farmers. This year, over 3,000 dairy farmers benefited from the company's extension services, which include field day trainings and demonstrations of best practices in dairy farming. The company is also advancing sustainable milk production through environmentally friendly technologies and sustainable agronomic practices like agroforestry and biogas utilization.
Furthermore, Brookside has been distributing resources such as 65,000 cuttings of super napier fodder to more than 1,000 farmers, enhancing fodder availability on farms and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. These initiatives are part of Brookside’s commitment to bolstering the dairy sector's sustainability and efficiency.
This payout follows a previous reward of Sh182 million distributed in December last year for milk delivered between June and November. With ongoing investments exceeding Sh30 million in farmer extension services last year alone, Brookside continues to foster significant growth in milk quality and volume.
The increased investment and support for dairy farmers not only contribute to Brookside's success but also solidify Kenya's position as a leader in milk consumption in Africa, with a national rate of 120 liters per person per year.
Launched six years ago, the reward scheme by Brookside aims to recognize and appreciate the vital contributions of raw milk suppliers within the dairy value chain's upstream phase. As the processor's base of contracted farmers grows, so too has the payout, reflecting the increasing value these farmers bring to the company.
Kabaki highlighted the broader benefits of the reward scheme, noting its role in enhancing the quality of milk supplied and expanding the company's reach into high-value dairy products. "This reward not only strengthens our relationship with our 160,000 raw milk suppliers but also boosts the overall quality of our milk, enabling us to tap into more lucrative markets," he explained.
In addition to financial incentives, Brookside is actively involved in capacity building among its farmers. This year, over 3,000 dairy farmers benefited from the company's extension services, which include field day trainings and demonstrations of best practices in dairy farming. The company is also advancing sustainable milk production through environmentally friendly technologies and sustainable agronomic practices like agroforestry and biogas utilization.
Furthermore, Brookside has been distributing resources such as 65,000 cuttings of super napier fodder to more than 1,000 farmers, enhancing fodder availability on farms and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. These initiatives are part of Brookside’s commitment to bolstering the dairy sector's sustainability and efficiency.
This payout follows a previous reward of Sh182 million distributed in December last year for milk delivered between June and November. With ongoing investments exceeding Sh30 million in farmer extension services last year alone, Brookside continues to foster significant growth in milk quality and volume.
The increased investment and support for dairy farmers not only contribute to Brookside's success but also solidify Kenya's position as a leader in milk consumption in Africa, with a national rate of 120 liters per person per year.
