Nestle SA Chairman, Mr. Peter Brabeck Letmathe looking at Kabiyet Quality team testing milk before receiving into the chilling plant
We at Nestle believe in creating value and we look forward to a long term sustainable relationship with Kabiyet Dairies Company Limited… Mr. Peter Brabeck Letmathe, Chairman, Nestle SA
Kabiyet Dairies Company Limited is continually reaping fruits from its hard work. This was witnessed by the visit of Nestle SA Chairman Mr. Peter Brabeck Letmathe who was impressed by the success and growth of Kabiyet Dairies in a short period time (24 months). The Chairman was accompanied by among others Frits Van Dijk – Executive Board Member, Nestle Group, in charge of Zone Asia-Oceania-Africa, Pierre Trouilhat – Region Head and CEO of Nestle Equatorial African Region, Hakan Misri – Managing Director of Nestle Kenya Ltd.
Speaking on behalf of Kabiyet Dairies, the Chairman Abraham Rugut, was grateful for the partnership between EADD, Kabiyet and Nestle which has been beneficial for the dairy farmers in the area.
“Through the investment in experts who have come to train our farmers on better quality management systems our milk quality has continually been improving and we are hoping to meet Nestle global standards in order to enjoy better milk prices.”
Mr Rugut revealed that Kabiyet Dairies has one main Chilling plant at Kabiyet centre and two satellite coolers at Sangalo and Koisolik respectively which are 6 Kms apart from each other. These satellite coolers are located near the villages’ and this move has helped improve milk quality. Time spent on transportation is lessened hence reducing the possibilities of milk spoilage and spillage. Milk in these three centres is normally collected, bulked and chilled, ready for collection by the processor. Apart from these coolers Kabiyet Dairies has 13 other collection centres for only collecting and bulking milk. “It is our wish for Nestle to assist in the acquisition and setting up of 13 satellite coolers for chilling of raw milk in the villages’ in order for us to better the quality of our milk.” He said.
Sharing a happy moment; Mr. Abraham Rugut, Kabiyet Dairies Chairman (left), Mr. Peter Brabeck Letmathe, Chairman Nestle SA (centre) and Mr. Tahir Mahmoud, Nestle Consultant attached to Kabiyet
In closing the Chairman revealed that the division has a milk potential of over 100,000 liters per day from well managed cows daily from the morning milk only. “There are tremendous untapped volumes in the evening milk and plans are underway in convincing dairy farmers to deliver the evening milk to the chilling plant.” In line with the Kabiyet Dairies’ strategic plan of 2011-2016, the dairy is aiming at collecting 70,000 litres of milk before the end of the year (2012).
Speaking for EADD, Moses Nyabila the Regional Director expressed his delight in the partnership between Kabiyet and Nestle. “There is no better milk partner in the World than Nestle.” Says the Regional Director and added on “EADD is a silent partner in the developmental arena for a short span of time and we aim at linking dairy enterprises like Kabiyet Dairies with development partners with a long term objective.” Moses’ concluding remarks were towards encouraging private public partnership to drive the developmental agenda.
In his speech Nestle SA Chairman, Mr. Brabeck stated that Nestle has never been shy in making investments in the dairy industry so long as it makes economic sense. Mr. Brubeck encouraged the board and management to ensure reliability and sustainable farmer group partnerships in order for Nestle to grant their request on establishment of the 13 satellite coolers. “We at Nestle believe in creating value and we look forward to a long term sustainable relationship with Kabiyet Dairies Company Limited.” says the Chairman.
The visit culminated with Brabeck and his Executive Vice Chairman being installed as Nandi Elders as they unveiled a partnership plaque.
Unveiling the Partnership Plaque; Abraham Rugut (left) and Peter Brabeck (Right)
Mr. Peter Brabeck Letmathe, Chairman Nestle SA, addresses dairy farmers at Kabiyet Centre
The Chairman later paid a courtesy visit to EADD model farmer Mr. Laban Talam to witness interventions on quality and production by EADD and Nestle. Laban Kipkemboi Talam is a famer, a registered shareholder as well as a milk supplier of Kabiyet Dairies Company Limited. With support of EADD, Laban has seen his milk output grow 10 fold from 3.5 Kilos in 2008 to 30 Kilos of milk daily from his two cows. “Since I received these trainings my milk has never been rejected by Kabiyet Dairies.” Says Laban and adds on saying “EADD assisted me in the construction of a modern milking parlour and feeding my cows with different fodder ingredients planted in my farm; This has helped improve the quality of my milk.”
In 2008, Laban was one of the youth identified by EADD as a model farmer and trainer. On his two acre farm, Laban was supported by the project in planting different fodder forages including Caliandra, Mulberry, Desmodium, Lucerne, Sorghum, Nappier grass, Sunflower as well as sweet potato vines. Being also a farmer trainer his farm was a model farm to train other farmers. In total Laban has 500 fodder trees planted on his farm. As a way of conserving his feeds for the dry spell Laban has been trained on feed conservation and feed formulation.
Besides dairy farming, Laban serves as the chairman of Silanga Dairy Management Group and Kabiyet Dairies appointed Farmer Trainer specializing in feed establishment and conservation.
Group photo infront of Kabiyet Financial Services Activities; Kabiyet Board, representatives from Nestle and EADD
Kabiyet is a division measuring about 283.8 square kilometers in Nandi North District of the Rift Valley Province of Kenya.
It has a population of approximately 62,000 people with a total number of dairy farming households of 25, 057. The area has a cow population of about 38, 583 dairy cows (both local and exotic), 99.4% of the farmers practice free range system of grazing. The balance practices both semi and full zero grazing.(0.6%) of the farmers.
Kabiyet Dairies Company Ltd (KDCL) was registered as a Cooperative Society late in late 2008 and was incorporated as a limited liability Company on 30th January 2009. It started milk collections on 1st June 2009 with a collection of 1,623 liters on day one.
From inception to May 2011, 14,270,823.80 Kilos of milk passed through Kabiyet Dairies Company Limited with the Chilling Plant making sales of Kshs. 499,478,833 of which Kshs. 348,501,046.17 was paid up to dairy farmers.
A success worth replication in the rest of Africa!
This is a great achievement that will bring motivation to the local farmers to venture into the milk industry and evetually alleviate poverty.Nestle is highly appreciated for this wonderfull iniciative and recognition of this tremendous idea.
wakati ni huu. lets reap there can be no other opportunity for nandiindet other than this.
A great achievement and a great company, hongera Kabiyet Dairies Company Limited. Dairy farming can be a lucrative business and farmers and their groups should copy from this success. To hear more success stories visit the Second Regional Co-operative Value Chain Symposium at the Cooperate Management Center in Karen in September 29th and 30st.
Finally what a good way for the farmers to get the lions share – “499,478,833 of which Kshs. 348,501,046.17 was paid up to dairy farmers” that about 69% of the share for the farmers.