This week, Heifer CEO and President, Pierre Ferrari was asked to speak at the International Dairy Federations World Dairy Summit in Cape Town, South Africa. The World Dairy Summit brings together individuals and organizations around the globe that are involved in working in the dairy sector. This years theme, A World in One Country, reflects the diversity seen in South Africas farming systems, climates, markets and cultures. The conference is devoted to the dairy industry in emerging countries, with a focus on how the socioeconomic benefits of the business on smallholder famers.
By 2030, its estimated that the global demand for food will be up by 30 percent as the population continues to rise. As the food security need will increase, its important that Heifer continues to work within communities to provide them the tools they need to lift themselves out of hunger and poverty: training and livestock.
In order to address these concerns, the summit topics focus on: developing innovative ideas for the dairy sector; the health benefits of consuming dairy; and how to create a holistic, sustainable approach to dairying that protects the environment. By learning how other organizations are working with dairy cooperatives, Heifers East Africa Dairy Development (EADD) program can learn to further improve sustainability in the dairy value chain. Heifers work with EADD brings smallholder farmers in communities together into cooperatives to better position them to sell their surplus milk. Through Heifers work, smallholder farmers receive more training to strengthen their businesses and earn more income to provide for their families.
As Heifers CEO and President takes part in the 2012 World Dairy Summit, our message is simple: Heifers farmers are not just providing milk in a growing dairy industry, theyre creating sustainable livelihoods and strengthening their communities.