Year after year, generation after generation, milk, and dairy foods continue to be a trusted source of nutrition and comfort around the world. The dairy sector plays an important role in helping to nourish the world, producing 881 million tonnes of milk in 2019, a number that increases every year. More than 80% of the world’s population, or about 6 billion people, regularly consumes liquid milk or other dairy products.

In addition to the nutritional values, dairy farming, and processing are integral to national economies and individual livelihoods. There are about 133 million dairy farms globally. Over 600 million people live on dairy farms including over 80 million women, around 37 million of whom head up their farms.

A growing world population and changes in consumption habits continue to boost the dairy products demand. Meeting this demand, while also finding new ways to reduce the impact on the environment, manage resources efficiently and increase benefits to biodiversity and bio-economy, is a crucial part of the dairy sector’s commitment to continuous improvement.

Besides, the dairy sector has a key role to play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda. The dairy sector, known for its innovation and strong dedication to environmental sustainability and nutritional benefits takes pride in the significant role nutritious products play in fulfilling global sustainability and nutritional responsibilities and aspirations. Further, The Dairy Declaration of Rotterdam recognizes the essential role of dairy products for balanced, nutritious, and healthy diets. Its goals integrate the three pillars of sustainability (social, economic, and environmental) and call for commitment from all stakeholders.

The world first “raised a glass” to World Milk Day in 2001. Since then this annual event continues to grow with all aspects of milk celebrated in different ways.
The 2023 celebrations highlight how dairy has reduced its impact on the environment while offering nutritional foods and livelihoods. Emphasis is on developing a trend towards responsible and environmentally sound dairy farming while also enabling dairy farmers to position themselves more sustainably.
To achieve the theme, one aspect is the incorporation of solar energy in dairy farming which not only reduces the carbon footprint but also reduces the cost of operations, leading to improved quality of life while keeping the environment safe.

According to Techwin Limited, a local food processing equipment manufacturer supplying the Kenyan dairy industry with solar-powered dairy equipment, new technologies will help the sector not only increase the production of high-quality milk but also in the fight for climate change sustainability within the value chain.
“Incorporating technology such as solar energy in dairy farming is one sustainable way to keep the environment safe from gas emissions. We as a manufacturer and supplier of dairy equipment like milk dispensers, pasteurizers, cooling tanks, homogenizers, fermentation tanks, transportation tanks, and more, put innovation at the center of production.”

As a stakeholder in the dairy sector, Techwin Limited not only provides dairy farmers with solar-powered equipment in the value chain but has also stepped up to educate them on the need to use clean energy during production and the importance of sustainable processing practices.
To further improve the productivity of these new technology dairy equipment, a lot of extension training is required at the farm and cooperative level on the uses, benefits, and maintenance. Techwin Limited has further strengthened the role of cooperatives in delivering knowledge to farmers through organized training during the county farmers’ outreach programs.

Echoing the theme of this year’s world milk day, Techwin Limited reiterates its commitment to providing dairy farmers with technologically advanced equipment and the technical know-how in order to feed people today and in the future in a sustainable, responsible, and innovative way. The company celebrates the vital role of dairy farmers, cooperatives, processors, retailing companies, and supporting government bodies. It is the collective commitment of all these stakeholders that can guarantee the achievement of food security in sustainable ways.