KIGALI, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The International Dairy Federation (IDF) Africa Regional Dairy Conference opened Thursday in Kigali, Rwanda's capital, spotlighting advancements, challenges, and opportunities in Africa's dairy sector.
Running through Sunday, the event brings together industry leaders, policymakers, experts, and farmers to exchange knowledge and explore strategies for strengthening the continent's dairy value chain. The agenda includes scientific presentations, technology exhibitions, workshops, and networking sessions.
In his opening remarks, IDF President Gilles Froment emphasized the need for cutting-edge technology and global partnerships to ensure the sector's long-term viability.
"By working together, we can create benefits for producers, processors, suppliers, and everyone across the supply chain, as well as for consumers worldwide," Froment said.
Dagmawi Habte-Selassie, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) representative and country director for Rwanda and Burundi, highlighted the dairy sector's central role in eradicating poverty and hunger through strategic investment in rural communities.
"We see the dairy sector as an area of multiple opportunities, especially for job creation among youth in milk transportation, processing, and other value chain services," he said.
Rwanda's Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe highlighted both progress and challenges in the sector, citing a surge in annual milk production from more than 334,700 metric tons in 2010 to nearly 1.1 million tons in 2024. Per capita milk consumption also more than doubled during the same period.
Bagabe noted, however, that only 10 to 15 percent of smallholder dairy farmers in Africa have access to formal training or finance. "Equipping them with the necessary skills and tools is essential for building a more resilient and job-creating dairy economy," he said.
The conference aims to foster shared solutions to challenges such as climate adaptation, breed improvement, youth engagement, and market access-crucial elements for building a thriving dairy sector in Africa.
Since 1903, the IDF has served as a global hub for scientific and technical knowledge in dairy, promoting safe and sustainable practices and products across the value chain. ■
