At Imfuyo, our mission to revolutionize the lives of underbanked livestock farmers across Kenya and Africa recently took us to Zurich, Switzerland, for the African Heritage Switzerland Expo 2024. This pivotal visit offered us a unique opportunity to engage with Swiss farmers and industry stakeholders, gaining invaluable insights into advanced farming practices that could inspire and inform our efforts in Africa. During the expo, we showcased our ambitious 10-year plan to collaborate with over 1,000,000 livestock farmers across the continent, aiming to boost food security through enhanced milk production and promote financial inclusion for those who need it most.
Our journey revealed that while Swiss and African farmers may seem worlds apart in terms of resources and infrastructure, they share fundamental challenges in increasing milk production, improving herd health, and securing a prosperous future for their families. However, the methods and support systems available to farmers in these regions differ significantly, presenting both challenges and opportunities for innovation.
In Switzerland, we witnessed a sophisticated ecosystem of governance, infrastructure, and technology supporting the dairy industry. Swiss farmers benefit from widespread use of automated milking systems, herd management software, and precision agriculture techniques. The industry is characterized by strict quality controls and production standards overseen by the Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG), complemented by state-of-the-art milking parlors, advanced cooling and storage facilities, and efficient transportation networks.
The numbers speak volumes about the efficiency of the Swiss dairy sector. In 2023, Switzerland produced 3.3 million tonnes of milk from approximately 550,000 dairy cows, with an impressive average yield of 7,600 kg per cow annually. The country’s 18,000 dairy farms maintain an average herd size of 30 cows, showcasing a blend of tradition and modernity.
In contrast, the landscape of dairy farming in Kenya and across Africa presents a different picture, one of emerging potential and unique challenges. Livestock farmers often operate in an environment marked by limited infrastructure, developing governance structures, and a significant technology gap. Despite these challenges, the Kenyan dairy industry shows remarkable resilience and growth potential. In 2023, Kenya produced 5.2 billion liters of milk from approximately 4.3 million dairy cows. While the average yield of 1,500–2,000 kg per cow annually is lower than in Switzerland, it represents significant progress and untapped potential.
Our visit to farms like Kathrin’s in Rikon, Zurich, provided concrete examples of advanced dairy practices. Kathrin manages 50 dairy cows, milking 30 to produce about 300 liters daily. Her operation benefits from insured and ear-tagged cows, spacious well-ventilated housing, digital record-keeping for production and health data, and access to high-quality veterinary services. Swiss farmers like Kathrin are actively working to increase yields, aiming for improvements of 5 liters per cow per month through enhanced feeding and care practices.
The technological gap between Swiss and African farms is significant but not insurmountable. While Swiss farms boast near-universal adoption of herd management software, automated milking and feeding systems, and IoT devices for real-time monitoring, African farms are seeing growing adoption of mobile-based solutions for market information and payments. At Imfuyo, we see this gap as an opportunity to introduce affordable and accessible technology tailored to African farmers’ needs, leapfrogging traditional development stages.
Government and private sector support also play crucial roles in both regions, albeit in different ways. Swiss dairy farmers benefit from substantial government subsidies and strong involvement of private companies in support programs. In Kenya and Africa, government support is growing through initiatives like the Kenya Dairy Development Program, and private sector involvement is emerging, with companies offering extension services. However, access to specialized financial products and insurance for smallholder farmers remains limited.
It’s worth noting that while cow milk dominates both markets, goat milk production is an emerging sector with significant potential, especially in Africa. In 2023, Switzerland produced 22,000 tonnes of goat milk from approximately 35,000 dairy goats, while Kenya produced 84,000 tonnes from over 400,000 dairy goats. This diversification presents additional opportunities for growth and innovation in the African dairy sector.
At Imfuyo, we’ve recognized this potential early on and have taken concrete steps to support and develop the dairy goat farming sector. Our commitment to innovation in this area is exemplified by our successful pilot programs with goat dairy farmers in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. These initiatives have demonstrated the viability and profitability of goat milk production, particularly for smallholder farmers. By providing tailored financial solutions, technological support, and market access, we’ve seen remarkable improvements in both productivity and farmer incomes. The success of these programs underscores the transformative potential of dairy goat farming in addressing food security and economic empowerment across Africa. Our experiences in Kirinyaga County serve as a model for how targeted support can unlock the vast potential of this emerging sector, complementing traditional cow milk production and offering diversified opportunities for African farmers. You can read about our goat milk project by following this link; Imfuyo’s successful pilot program for goat milk production!
At Imfuyo, we recognize the immense potential in African dairy farming and are committed to bridging the gap between Swiss efficiency and African potential. Our approach includes integrating affordable technology, creating tailored financial products, facilitating knowledge transfer between Swiss and African farmers, optimizing the entire dairy value chain, and promoting sustainable farming practices.
As we work towards our goal of partnering with over 1,000,000 livestock farmers across Africa in the next decade, we carry with us the insights gained from Swiss farms. We envision a future where the lines between ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ dairy sectors blur, replaced by a global community of farmers working together towards sustainable and productive livestock management.
The journey from the lush meadows of Switzerland to the diverse landscapes of Africa is just the beginning of our transformative vision. By leveraging technology, data, and innovative financial products, Imfuyo is committed to catalyzing a transformation in African dairy farming, ensuring food security and financial inclusion for those who need it most. The future of African dairy farming is bright, and with the right blend of global best practices and locally tailored solutions, we believe it can rival the efficiency and productivity of its Swiss counterparts.