Nairobi / Nukuru – IL&FS Cluster Development Initiative (IL&FS Clusters) launched the India-Kenya Dairy Innovation Bridge Program (IKDIBP) on Friday, the 16^th of January. The program is jointly funded by USAID India and IL&FS Clusters. Heifer International, Kenya is the technical partner and will work with IL&FS Clusters in implementing the program in Kenya.

The IKDIBP will facilitate adoption and replication of selected innovations from the Indian dairy sector through a series of interventions along the value chain wherein both backward and forward linkages would be developed in an integrated manner. The Rift Valley Province and the Central Province in Kenya have been identified for intervention since they account for most of the milk produced in the country. The goal of the program is to improve the income of smallholder farmers through increased milk productivity and reduced wastages along the dairy value chain. The activities include training and capacity building of various stakeholders, setting up of infrastructure facilities, and institutional strengthening.

“Our aim is to strengthen the entire dairy value chain in Kenya with a focus on the downstream industry which would contribute to increased income for the farmers and thereby help in achieving the nutritional security,” said Vikas Ghanghas, manager for Africa program at IL&FS Clusters.”

“Taking in account the high dairy production potential of the southern highlands milk shed and the proven hardworking farming households in the Rift Valley and Central Province in Kenya, we are confident that IKDIBP will meaningfully increase smallholder household production, consumption and sale of milk in response driven by a booming market,” said Dr. George Odhiambo, Country Director, Heifer International, Kenya.

IL&FS Clusters is a group subsidiary firm of the Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited (IL&FS) group which is India's leading infrastructure development and finance group working across sectors including power, roads, ports, water, environment, cluster development and education.

Heifer International’s mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. For almost 70 years, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income.