The contribution of dairy to resilient food systems in East Africa

How can the dairy sector contribute to a resilient food system in East Africa?

This question is faced by actors in the East African dairy sector, who intend to contribute to a combination of system outcomes: food and nutrition security, rural economic development, and climate adaptation. These outcomes have a higher priority in East Africa than issues like climate mitigation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, prominent in OECD countries.

Perspectives of actors are coloured by the context in which they operate. For example, the appreciation of dairy proteins is high in contexts of qualitative malnutrition. Different perspectives lead to different trade-offs between people, planet and profit objectives and eventually to different issues and opportunities.

NEADAP is developing a position paper on the role of dairy in food systems. The paper will be based on stakeholder discussions in six East African countries. It presents facts relevant to resilient dairy development. Its recommendations on the role of dairy in food systems are based on prominent issues raised, such as access to land, water, and capital, food security and safety, and livelihood opportunities.

In this session, a draft of the paper is introduced by Wageningen UR and discussed by a panel of experts.