The program „Green Innovation Centres“(GIAE) of the GIZ is an ongoing project of the BMZ operating in 16 primarily African countries focussing on increasing the incomes of smallholder farms and creating jobs in processing of agricultural products. The work in the 16 Green Innovation Centres is supported by a central coordination unit in Germany. In the partner countries Zambia, Tunisia and Kenya milk production is a prioritized value chain and supported with diverse country specific projects activities. In addition, the cooperation and the exchange of know-how among the partner countries is supported.

The focus on the VC Milk was specifically supported through the establishment of the “Working Group Dairy” from 2016-2018 and through the initiation of the GIAE Dairy Expert Group in 2019. Both programmes were professionally supported and coordinated through ADT Project Consulting GmbH with particular emphasis on practical relevance, international experience, broad networks, as well as high competence in the special topics of dairy cattle breeding and husbandry, animal health, animal hygiene, milking technology and milking hygiene, milk quality and quality control, and milk processing.

The goal of the continuation of the technical support and coaching of the GIAE Dairy Expert Group is to facilitate an independent and competent consultancy for specialists and executives in the Dairy VC of the partner countries Kenya, Zambia and Tunisia to enhance the income of small scale dairy farmers, employment and the supply with milk and dairy products through fostering proven innovations in the Dairy VC. Central are the exchange of know-how (South-South) and the establishment of expert networks in the partner countries. Additionally, the transfer of international know-how (North-South) will support the further development of the GIAE Dairy Expert Group.

The timely and successful implementation of the project is particularly dependent on the current situation around Covid-19. Online meetings and professional exchange via the Wiki platform are not impaired. However, travel restrictions completely prevent the planned experts workshop and the meeting of the expert group in Kampala / Uganda and make it necessary to develop alternative online formats.