Corteva Agriscience and Land O’Lakes Venture37 Create Alliance in Kenya to Address Persistent Dairy Shortages Through Improved Livestock Nutrition

The alliance will aid the livelihoods of women smallholder farmers by providing education and resources for sustainable agriculture 

Wilmington, Del. and Arden Hills, Minn., – September 7, 2020 – Corteva Agriscience, Land O’Lakes Venture37, Bidco Land O’Lakes, Forage Genetics International (FGI) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) announced today an alliance that aims to strengthen dairy production in central Kenya. The project will help advance the sustainable farming practices of more than 5,000 women smallholder dairy farmers, and ease the annual 2.2 billion liter shortage¹ of dairy products in the country.

This group of private sector, non-profit, and research organizations will engage in a two-year program designed to increase the supply of nutritional dairy products available to local communities and guide women smallholder farmers in methods that bolster nutrient-rich forages (corn silage and hay) production – providing reliable feed for dairy cattle, improving milk production, and reducing the production cost of those dairy products.

“Kenya has the highest per capita consumption of milk in Africa, at 120 liters, compared with the African average of 50 liters,” said Joseph Anampiu, Commercial Unit Leader, East Africa, at Corteva Agriscience. “Consumption is projected to nearly double to 220 liters by 2030, backed by a milk demand growth rate of seven percent per annum. As a leader in agricultural innovation and a collaborator with farmers, we are committed to provide tools and training to help increase yield stability, optimize inputs, and improve climate resilience.”

In June, Corteva announced its 2030 sustainability goals, spanning a wide range of initiatives for farmers, the land, communities, and its operations. The company pledged to help increase the productivity, incomes and sustainable farming practices of smallholder farmers as well as to empower women in their communities.

“Supporting the needs of farmers – large and small – is central to our purpose at Corteva,” said Anne Alonzo, Senior Vice President of External Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer at Corteva Agriscience. “Through this collaboration, we will make an immediate impact on the lives of these Kenyan women smallholder farmers, their families and their communities.”

The alliance combines Corteva’s leadership in agricultural inputs and support of smallholder farmers with FGI’s private sector leadership in the forage industry. ILRI brings locally-based, world-renowned forage R&D capabilities and livestock management practices to the program. Land O’Lakes Venture37 will contribute its extensive experience adapting advanced technologies and techniques to the smallholder farmer level and facilitating last-mile delivery of key inputs. Bidco Land O’Lakes, a Kenya-based feed manufacturer, works closely with these collaborators to offer compound feed that complements effective forages.

“This alliance, through its advancement of animal nutrition in Kenya’s dairy sector, is simultaneously advancing human nutrition and human success – a shining example of Land O’Lakes’ guiding purpose: feeding human progress,” said John Ellenberger, Executive Director of Land O’Lakes Venture37. “Through its combination of private sector investment, local expertise, applied data and technologies, and last mile delivery, this alliance is helping to make markets work more effectively for lower-resource populations. Strategic alliances like these are a foundational element of our current work and future ambitions.”

Tiffany Atwell, Global Government and Industry Affairs Leader at Corteva Agriscience, highlighted the alliance during a panel presentation at the African Green Revolution Forum Virtual Summit which discussed the critical role women play in agriculture as well as how government policies can build more inclusive agriculture and food systems.

For more information on Corteva’s work with smallholder farmers and its 2030 sustainability goals, visit https://www.corteva.com/sustainability.html

¹Kenya Dairy Board – https://www.kdb.go.ke/

About Corteva Agriscience

Corteva Agriscience is a publicly traded, global pure-play agriculture company that provides farmers around the world with the most complete portfolio in the industry – including a balanced and diverse mix of seed, crop protection and digital solutions focused on maximizing productivity to enhance yield and profitability. With some of the most recognized brands in agriculture and an industry-leading product and technology pipeline well positioned to drive growth, the company is committed to working with stakeholders throughout the food system as it fulfills its promise to enrich the lives of those who produce and those who consume, ensuring progress for generations to come. Corteva Agriscience became an independent public company on June 1, 2019 and was previously the Agriculture Division of DowDuPont. More information can be found at www.corteva.com.

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About Land O’Lakes Venture37
Venture37 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping communities around the world build economies by strengthening local agriculture, helping agribusinesses create jobs and linking farmers to markets. Since 1981, it has implemented over 315 integrated dairy, livestock and crop development programs in nearly 80 countries. Land O’Lakes Venture37’s long-standing affiliation with Land O’Lakes, Inc.—one of America’s largest farmer-owned cooperatives, with nearly 100 years of expertise in dairy, animal nutrition, crop inputs and agricultural insights and technologies—sets it apart. Land O’Lakes, Inc. supports Venture37 projects as part of its enterprise purpose of ‘Feeding Human Progress’ at home and around the world. www.landolakesventure37.org

About Bidco Land O’Lakes

Bidco Land O’Lakes is an animal feed processing plant based in Nakuru, Kenya. Land O’Lakes, Inc., one of America’s largest farmer-owned cooperatives and a leader in global animal nutrition, and Bidco Africa, one of East Africa’s leading consumer product companies, have invested an estimated USD 12 million into the plant. The animal feed business aims to produce over 28 metric tons per hour of animal nutrition products. The fully automated plant helps to ensure quality and accuracy in production and reduce the chance of human error. The world-class capabilities offer Kenyan farmers products designed to help them deliver on quality and performance. www.landolakesinc.com

About Forage Genetics International

For more than 25 years, Forage Genetics International (www.foragegenetics.com) has led the forage industry with innovative genetic discoveries, variety developments and cutting-edge product introductions. Our relentless drive for improved forage production is behind our unprecedented advancements. As the industry’s leading provider of forage solutions, we breed, develop and produce premier alfalfa seed. Our highly experienced staff delivers packaging, distribution and training services to complement our premium product offerings — all customized to meet the varied needs of our customers.

About ILRI
The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) is a non-profit institution helping people in low- and middle-income countries to improve their lives, livelihoods and lands through the animals that remain the backbone of small-scale agriculture and enterprise across the developing world. Specifically, ILRI works with partners to improve food and nutritional security and to reduce poverty and environmental degradation in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. Employing more than 600 people, including scientists from more than 40 countries, ILRI is a CGIAR research centre co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia and with 14 other offices across Africa and Asia. https://www.ilri.org/