Linking smallholders to processors boosts the supply of locally produced quality milk and reduces food loss. Dairy Hub projects help to ensure that the dairy processor gains a stable milk supply, while the smallholder farmers gain access to formal markets, boosting their productivity, profitability and livelihoods.
The model uses a market-driven strategy which enables processors to provide farmer suppliers with international best-practice standards and expertise in the form of practical technical assistance, training, tools and documentation. The chief aim of the Dairy Hub model is to build a relationship between smallholder farmers and processors that ensures all milk produced will be purchased, securing a stable source of income for the farmers.
Finally, through reference farm methodology, farmers learn from the successful experiences of other farmers, a proven effective way of creating long-term change.
Since the launch of the first Dairy Hub project in 2011, 29 similar projects have been established around the world, benefiting over 84,500 smallholder farmers.
