Kiteto Dairy Cooperative (KDC) is a small-scale dairy cooperative located in the Kiteto District of Tanzania. The cooperative has a daily milk intake of up to 750 litres and is owned by 60 smallholder farmers. Dairy cooperatives play a significant role in Tanzania by improving the economic resilience of smallholder farmers and supporting sustainable development in rural areas. By pooling resources, knowledge and market access, cooperatives such as KDC contribute to improved livelihoods, food security, and local economic growth. KDC has received support from international partners to strengthen its operations, including Lactosan A/S through the CSR collaboration with Dairy People Without Borders.
The primary area of collaboration is to facilitate the improvement and growth of Kiteto Dairy Cooperative, as well as to enhance the living conditions of the residents in Lesoit village (a nearby Maasai village). In partnership with Dairy without Borders, we are working to ensure that KDC receives the necessary training, including livestock health and feed improvement, food safety and hygiene standards related to milk production and dairy processing, as well as the development and enhancement of dairy products. Additionally, other relevant training and support will be provided throughout the implementation of the project.
(photocredits: Dairy without Borders. Lesoit Village in the Kiteto District of Tanzania and milk collection at Kiteto Dairy Cooperative).
You can follow the projects and progresses below.
Activities
During 2025, the volunteer group supporting the Kiteto project focused on strengthening the cooperative’s technical and organisational capacity. Key activities included:
Preparation of a a funding application to support the acquisition of upgraded dairy equipment
Establishment of a dedicated whey utilisation group aimed at improving the use of by-products from dairy production and reducing resource waste.
In parallel, initiatives were launched to expand milk collection and to deliver general training programmes designed to increase milk yields and improve overall dairy operations across the cooperative’s supplier network.
These activities support productivity improvements while contributing to more stable income opportunities for local milk suppliers.
Progress and Impact
In 2025, Kiteto Dairy Cooperative demonstrated clear progress:
The dairy facilities were fully upgraded, resulting in significantly improved hygiene conditions and production standards.
A new milk collection centre was established, enabling the cooperative to engage a broader network of milk suppliers.
These developments have been made possible through the strong and well-functioning CSR partnership between Lactosan A/S and Dairy without Borders and reflect a shared commitment to long-term, locally anchored value creation.
(Source: Dairy without Borders – Newsletter of December 2025.)
(photocredits: Dairy without Borders. 1+2 Improving milk facilities and storage at the Kiteto Dairy Cooperative in Tanzania).
In 2024, significant progress was achieved in strengthening operational standards and building long‑term capacity across the value chain.
At Kiteto Dairy Cooperative:
Hygiene standards and overall product quality improved substantially, supported by targeted skills development initiatives. These improvements contributed to increased compliance with regulatory and quality requirements.
The approval of TBS certification for the majority of products marked an important milestone, enabling access to the wider Tanzanian market and creating new commercial opportunities for local production.
Capacity building was further strengthened through secured free access to SIDO training for the next five years, ensuring continued skills development and institutional learning.
At farm level, there has been growing acceptance and engagement among farmers with initiatives focused on livestock health and improved feed practices. This increased adoption supports more sustainable production, better animal welfare, and improved productivity over time.
(Source: 2024 Yearly Progress Report of KDC Tanzania / DwB Denmark)
(Photocredits: Dairy without Borders. 1: TBS certification - Kiteto District of Tanzania and 2. improving Mozzarella production).
At the Lesoit Village:
Established entrepreneurship mindset among Lesoit women's Group
Establishment of a kiosk managed by the women's group
Foundation of the principles for establisment of two coops.
(Photocredits: Dairy without Borders. 1: Kiosk at Lesoit Village managed by women of Lesoit).
In 2023, the CSR partnership between Lactosan A/S and Dairy without Border was launched in July.
Following activities took place at Kiteto Dairy Cooperative:
Review of KDC Business plan and market strategy plan.
Agriculture and Livestock trainings with specialists from Dairy without Borders.
KDC visit to Lesoit village to learn and share ideas on initionation of Women Daiary Cooperative Society and Mens's Bull fattening Cooperative Society.
Translation of Training Guideline from Dairy Farmers Society
Visitors from Tanzania Bureau of standards (TBS) on product standards.
(Source: 2023 Yearly Progress Report of KDC Tanzania / DwB Denmark)
(Photocredit: Dairy without Borders. Training session with DwB specialist at Kiteto Dairy Cooperative, 2023)
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Dairy without Borders - Danish NGO
Learn about the partnership with Dairy without Borders here - news
Read THORNICO's annual Company Karma report and learn about the goals and achievements of the entire THORNICO group. You will also find all our previous CSR reports via THORNICO's website.
Link to Thornico website and CSR reports - here
