Despite the recent advancement in agricultural production, food systems in Africa have failed to meet its
growing population. Cereal yields have accelerated in Sub-Saharan Africa since the 1990s (doubling the
cereal yield growth rate), but they are not rising fast enough to meet growing food demand. Milk
production has potential to improve food and nutrition security in Africa. In Kenya the industry is
dominated by small-scale farmers and is the most developed of the livestock sub-sectors. Smallholder dairy
production is estimated to constitute 56 % of the total milk production in Kenya. Despite the importance of
milk in the economy and nutrition of, dairy sector is facing myriad challenges. Product contamination with
microorganisms is of particular concern for the dairy industry as milk is transported at temperatures
permissive for the growth of these microorganisms. In Kenya, 85% of small-scale dairy farmers do not
have access to the national electric grid. The inadequate or lack of access to electrification limits the
deployment of technologies to enhance quality management. Poor upstream milk production practices
causes milk spoilage and lost farm earnings. It also causes poor quality milk and further losses in earnings
along the downstream dairy value chain. Solar and other renewable energy technologies can significantly
enhance energy access thus contributing to economic and social development. It is against this background
that ELCI and partners are proposing to promote clean energy solutions in improving the quality of milk
along the dairy value chains in Lake Bogoria areas, Baringo County. The goal of this project is to support
development of dairy value chains through an integrated approach that aims at enhanced productivity as
well as reduction of losses along the entire value chain.
Lake Bogoria and its catchment are rich in natural resources that include landforms, forests, wildlife,
wetlands and pastures. In the catchment there are moist upland forests around Subukia that are the major
sources of surface inflows into the lake and are rich in forest products and biodiversity. The lower
catchment was under nomadic livestock production, which has changed over time to a relatively sedentary
mode of livestock production. Livestock numbers in this area have increased over time and are restricted to
a smaller range compared to the past herding system.
The project will target the lower catchment, focusing on the administrative locations of Ng?ambo and
Loboi of Marigat Division. The area is mainly a rangeland classified as an arid and semi-arid land (ASAL).
The area is a host to Lake Bogoria. Lake Bogoria (34 sq km) is a salt-water lake that is globally renowned
for supporting a large population of migratory birds. Average annual rainfall is 650 mm and temperatures
vary from 30°C to 35°C. Native vegetation comprises Acacia trees (mainly Acacia tortilis) in association
with Boscia spp. and Balanites aegyptiaca, and bushes of Salvadora persica.
Human population density is relatively low, about 20 persons per sq km. The main sources of cash income
are from sale of livestock and honey. The main land use is livestock grazing, combined with some crop
agriculture around homestead sites. Lake Bogoria National Reserve is reserved for habitat and species
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conservation, with local and international tourism generating some revenue. The two locations have faced a
serious problem of invasive species Prosopis juliflora adding to the misery of the already marginalized
communities.
Farmers in Lake Bogoria practice small-scale dairy farming with average milk production ranging between
5 to 10 liters per household per day. The nearest dairy cooperative is in in Marigat, which is about 40km
away. Farmers in Lake Bogoaria have to spend hours to deliver milk to Marigat or sell in the local markets
and in the process a lot of milk get spoilt due to the poor hygiene and long transportation. The project will
be implemented in partnership with a local CBO Sokotewo Livestock Youth Group based in Loboi
Location within the Lake Bogiria area.