A training Report on Group Leadership, Management and ...

CARE KENYA/SITE FEB 2010SECTION IVRecommendations and conclusionsOrganization of milk traders is important for joint action. The Garissa Camel milk traders’umbrella has been in existence since 2007. However, it has not done much for the betterment ofthe milk traders’ businesses due to leadership wrangles that weaken it. If the umbrella is to bestrong for traders’ joint action, the constituent groups must be strengthened first.The strength of both the groups and the Umbrella can only be secured through continous <strong>training</strong>on effective leadership and proper group management. During the workshop, the participantsresolved to strengthen their groups through effective leadership and better management systems.This will include holding regular meetings, conducting open elections and keeping up-to-daterecords. We recommend that CARE Kenya Garissa team, in partnership with the Garissa DLPO,support the groups and the umbrellas towards this end. Once the Umbrella is strong enough, itwill effectively represent the interests of the milk traders as well as network with otherstakeholders for the improvement of their businesses. It is recommended that the GarissaUmbrella joins the Dairy Traders Association (DTA) for a greater voice on the issues that affectthe small-scale milk traders in Kenya and Garissa in particular.One key issue affecting small-scale milk traders in Kenya is access to milk markets and Garissamilk traders are no exception. The traders must therefore focus on developing several milkmarketing systems for greater market access. The set up of milk bars is one way of improvingand expanding the informal milk market in addition to attaining the desirable milk qualitystandards by adhering to the set requirements for milk bars. The Sumeya milk group was foundto be a unique case in Garissa. They already have premises, a deep freezer, aluminium cans andsufurias. They have a trained member on yoghurt making. They are then packaging it in plasticbottles for sale in Garissa town. This group should be encouraged and supported since its successwill motivate other groups in Garissa to embrace milk bars and excel in their milk businesses.The umbrella of Garissa milk traders, with the help of Ministry of Livestock, Garissa office, hasbeen looking forward to the set up of a Camel milk mini dairy for milk processing. Acquisitionof land for its set up has been a challenge all along. However, venturing into the formal milkmarket calls for a feasibility study clearly establishing supply and demand constraints as well asappropriate interventions to ensure sustainability of the mini dairy. Ownership of the mini dairyalso needs to be clearly thought through to forestall future wrangles on ownership and sharing ofdividends.Training <strong>Report</strong> under ELMT compiled by SITE12