Project plan on landscaping, selection and shortlisting potential dairy farmers, co-ops and unions to increase milk supply

Sustainable Food Systems (Climate Adaptation and Resilience)

Project plan on landscaping, selection and shortlisting potential dairy farmers, co-ops and unions to increase milk supply

The primary purpose of the project is to increase the efficiency and milk supply of Lamme Dairy by strengthening dairy cooperatives and enhancing their role in milk collection and distribution. The major goal is to build a network of effective dairy cooperatives connected to 50,000 smallholder farmers. Deliverables include:

Socioeconomic analysis of smallholder dairy farmers and cooperatives.

Verified list of active dairy cooperatives with detailed assessments and data bases.

List of Identified high-potential cooperatives.

A capacity development plan for cooperative staff, cooperative leaders and farmer training

COLEAD-NexT Kenya Programme

Sustainable Food Systems (Climate Adaptation and Resilience)

COLEAD-NexT Kenya Programme

PMO, in collaboration with COLEAD, has implemented several initiatives to improve food safety and reduce food loss and waste across Kenya’s value chains. Below is a summary of the key undertakings:

PMO supported RETRAK in reviewing and evaluating existing practices for managing food waste in fruits and vegetables within the retail sector. This initiative also aimed to promote food redistribution efforts.

In November and December 2023, PMO organized and facilitated a training program for extension staff and lead farmers of Aberdare Plateau Horticulture Company (APHC). The program included coaching a Kenyan expert to equip smallholder producers with bookkeeping skills and cost-benefit calculations. Activities included preparing and delivering training workshops, conducting a bookkeeping exercise with out-growers, building internal capacity, facilitating feedback sessions, and providing final reports to COLEAD.

PMO conducted a training program for HCD inspectors to enhance their communication of inspection practices and ensure adherence to regulatory and market standards. The initiative involved reviewing current inspection practices and horticultural export trends for crops such as avocado, mango, beans, peas, and pepper.


A detailed training curriculum was developed, and 20 trainees were selected based on their profiles. The program included a five-day workshop focused on SPS standards and communication. Additionally, PMO assisted HCD in creating communication Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and compiled a comprehensive training report in the COLEAD format.

From March to August 2023, PMO collaborated with the Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) to design and implement an enhanced communication strategy. This involved drafting a comprehensive communication policy and strategic plan, conducting a sensitization workshop on media relations for senior staff, and building the capacity of PCPB’s management and PR teams to effectively address communication challenges.

Between August and November 2022, PMO collaborated with KEPHIS to enhance its communication dynamics with stakeholders. The initiative included conducting a communication assessment to identify gaps and needs, developing a tailored training curriculum for management on media relations, and organizing Training of Trainers (TOT) sessions for departmental heads to strengthen workplace communication skills.

From March to May 2022, PMO supported RETRAK in mapping food losses for fresh produce among four of its members. This effort involved hosting a sensitization workshop in partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation, conducting a study on food loss and waste in retail markets, and proposing a food redistribution strategy. The initiative resulted in RETRAK partnering with the Ministry of Health to develop food redistribution guidelines in collaboration with food recovery organizations.

In February and March 2022, PMO organized a sensitization workshop on food safety for RETRAK members. The workshop involved preparing tailored presentations and programs aligned with assignment objectives, managing logistical arrangements, producing a detailed  workshop report with a participant list, and conducting a final debriefing with RETRAK to discuss recommendations and plan the next steps.

MEDA, LEGEND

Sustainable Food Systems (Climate Adaptation and Resilience)

Mennonite Economic Development Associates of Canada (MEDA), Leveraging
Equality for Gender-Inclusive Economic Development (LEGEND)

As part of the LEGEND Project, we supported the economic empowerment of Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) in four counties—Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, and Taita Taveta. Our efforts targeted a minimum of 80 SMEs operating within the aquaculture, poultry, and horticulture value chains, adhering to the project’s eligibility criteria.

 

A comprehensive needs assessment was conducted to prioritize the selected SMEs, enabling the design of tailored improvement packages. These market-driven Business Development Services (BDS) addressed critical areas such as access to finance, markets, supply chain management, technology advancement, product development, investment readiness, human resources policy, gender mainstreaming, and environmental sustainability.

 

By providing these tailored services, we strengthened the SMEs’ operational capacity and competitiveness, while fostering functional linkages to financial institutions and markets.

ZoNoH – Putting One Health into action: Preventing zoonoses in Kenya by fostering collaboration in the food system

Sustainable Food Systems (Climate Adaptation and Resilience)

ZoNoH – Putting One Health into action: Preventing zoonoses in Kenya by fostering collaboration in the food system

The ZoNoH project, “Putting One Health into Action: Preventing Zoonoses in Kenya by Fostering Collaboration in the Food System,” is a collaborative initiative between Wageningen University & Research and Transdisciplinary Consulting Limited. Running from July 2023 to April 2025, ZoNoH aims to strengthen the capacity of two Kenyan County One Health Units (COHUs) to better manage zoonotic diseases within their food systems. By fostering collaboration and building the operational capacity of these COHUs, the project seeks to prevent future pandemics by creating a more resilient and interconnected approach to health and food safety.

 

As a contracted partner, our organization supports the development and coordination of ZoNoH’s services in Kenya, particularly at the county level. Our responsibilities include facilitating on-the-ground field activities, and ensuring that local One Health Units are equipped with the necessary tools, training, and data to implement and manage effective zoonose prevention strategies. Through these efforts, the ZoNoH project aims to build a robust, proactive response framework within Kenya’s food systems, supporting both human and environmental health for long-term resilience.

Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Program

Sustainable Food Systems (Climate Adaptation and Resilience)

Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Program

The Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Program, a five-year initiative funded by the World Bank and implemented through county governments, focused on enhancing climate resilience and productivity among farmers. From June 2019 to July 2020, our team was contracted by Tharaka Nithi County to manage the livestock component of the program, providing farmers with the training and resources needed to adopt climate-smart practices and innovative agricultural techniques. Our efforts began with organizing and forming farmer groups to create a collaborative network for sharing knowledge and best practices. Through these groups, we supported farmers in developing proposals aimed at securing funding for projects that would improve productivity and integrate climate-smart solutions into their operations.

 

In partnership with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), we introduced high-yield, protein-rich fodder varieties with high digestibility, designed to boost livestock productivity while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To further promote sustainability, we trained farmers on biogas installation, offering them a clean energy source derived from agricultural waste, which also contributed to waste reduction. Additionally, we implemented a robust monitoring system to track the farmers’ progress, evaluating both productivity improvements and the adoption of new technologies. These comprehensive training and monitoring efforts helped farmers improve the quality and efficiency of their livestock practices, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural landscape in Tharaka Nithi County.

ICSIAPL in Kenya’s ASAL project

Sustainable Food Systems
(Climate Adaptation and Resilience)

Integrated & Climate Smart Innovations for Agro-Pastoralist Economies and Landscapes in Kenya’s ASAL project (ICSIAPL)

From August 2021 to September 2022, the Integrated & Climate Smart Innovations for Agro-Pastoralist Economies and Landscapes in Kenya’s ASAL project (ICSIAPL) focused on strengthening smallholder Producer Organizations (POs) in arid and semi-arid regions. The project aimed to enhance climate resilience and economic sustainability through tailored governance, management, and service delivery models.

 

Key interventions included the development of commercially viable service models that provided POs with critical inputs and services such as agrovet supplies, forage seeds, and extension support. An embedded extension services model was introduced to scale best practices in forage variety, pasture management, and conservation. Linkages were facilitated between POs and suppliers, including forage producers and financial institutions, to expand access and market reach. Special attention was given to empowering women and youth groups with viable business propositions in the livestock and forage sub-sectors, supported by Business Development Services (BDS).

 

Practical training was delivered through forage demonstration plots established in collaboration with county governments, local partners, and selected POs. These plots, along with field days and exchange visits, served as platforms for skills transfer and showcasing improved forage varieties. BDS support also focused on governance and financial management, ensuring POs and service providers were equipped for sustainable operations. Partnerships with industry players such as seed suppliers, fodder producers, and milk processors were fostered to build inclusive and durable business relationships. Through its integrated approach, ICSIAPL promoted climate-smart and economically sustainable practices, fostering resilience and productivity among agro-pastoral communities in Kenya’s ASAL regions.

Strategic Sector Cooperation Program on Productivity and Food Safety Program in the Horticulture and Livestock Sectors

Sustainable Food Systems (Climate Adaptation and Resilience)

Strategic Sector Cooperation Program on Productivity and Food Safety Program in the Horticulture and Livestock Sectors

From July 2017 to December 2025, the Strategic Sector Cooperation (SSC) Program for Food has focused on advancing food safety, enhancing quality, and building capacity in Kenya’s horticulture and livestock sectors, with particular attention to controlling residues and contaminants. Funded by the Embassy of Denmark and supported by the Danish Veterinary and Food Association, the program has implemented two pilot projects aimed at improving food safety standards and regulatory compliance in both sectors.

 

The horticulture pilot involved supporting five horticulture-producing cooperatives and a horticultural exporter to meet quality and safety standards, while the livestock pilot worked with four livestock cooperatives to align with new government regulations. Key deliverables include aiding national regulatory agencies (Central Competent Authorities (CCAs)), in establishing a training program for inspectors. This program utilizes a risk-based approach guided by ten principles of inspection, designed and endorsed under this initiative. Additionally, the SSC Program supported the formation of a Multi-Annual National Control Plan on Food Safety through a national steering committee.

 

Other efforts in the program included collaborative work with three livestock processors and one horticulture cooperative to create food safety interventions across these value chains. Specifically, the program selected a horticulture cooperative in Nyandarua County to lead food safety improvements, establishing contract farming schemes and linking farmers to markets. Comprehensive training was provided to farmers on enhancing productivity, quality, and safety, including meeting global standards.

 

Finally, the program facilitated the creation of two national technical committees (one for livestock and one for horticulture) composed of ministry officials and representatives from competent authorities to streamline food safety coordination at a national level.

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