the Africa Asia Dairy Genetic Gains (AADGG) project, run by ILRI with support from the Gates Foundation, has been collecting genetic and productivity data on 15,000 cows in East Africa since 2016 to build a genetic database. With the help of a mobile app, farmers can record and monitor their cows’ health and production, receiving personalized advice. Project participants in Tanzania have seen a 50 percent increase in productivity, thanks to the tools.
Technological innovation is also slowly changing the culture of farmers. Daniel Kemboi, another Kenyan farmer, found the right semen to improve his herd by searching online. Through buy phone number list a website, he selected bulls that could improve the milk production and heat tolerance of his cows, increasing production from 12-15 liters to 26 liters per cow. He also built a barn to protect his cows from high temperatures, a sign that local farmers are increasingly aware of the challenges posed by climate change.
Despite this progress, average cow productivity in Kenya remains relatively low, at 2.3 litres per day in 2022, compared to 1.8 litres in 2013. This is higher than the African average, but far from what is potentially achievable, especially in a country where 35% of the population suffers from malnutrition. Studies suggest that increased milk consumption can significantly reduce child stunting, which affects an estimated 22% of children under five worldwide.
Climate change is also disrupting traditional practices among nomadic herders. Daniel Sinkeet, a Maasai herder, had to adapt after a severe drought between 2021 and 2023. Herders traditionally migrate with the rains, but as drought worsened, Sinkeet lost a third of his herd. He has now turned to growing fodder to feed his cows, marking a turning point in his nomadic life. Improving herders’ productivity and reducing their mobility could also reduce the risk of conflicts over scarcity, which often escalate into ethnic violence.