Duncan Nduhiu of Kenya, known locally as Maziwa Mingi (Much Milk), recently passed away. We remember his contribution to FDI as evidenced in the text below, which is adapted from a testimonial flyer from years past.
George Kiiru Kamau of Kenya, known locally as Miti Mingi (Many Trees).
George worked for the forestry commission, gaining an understanding of the role of trees in stabilizing the climate and preventing soil erosion. He developed his one-acre farm as an example for others. He encourages farmers to have tree nurseries.
He enlisted schools in tree planting programmes, part of this is that each child plants and looks after a tree throughout their school life. In his house he has efficient wood-burning stoves that use minimal amounts of fire- wood, and photovoltaic cells on the roof of his house to run his computer and TV, to charge his mobile phone and to provide light after dark. He also demonstrates imaginative methods of soil conservation and storing water in un- derground tanks to prevent evaporation
Duncan Nduhiu of the Nyala Milk collection scheme in Kenya is known to many as Maziwa Mingi (Much Milk).
In 2000 he was troubled by the lack of milk marketing facilities for the many small farmers in his area. He met with friends to discuss the matter.
The first meeting ended in disagreement. He met again with ten close friends and they each decided to find ten more, each person selling a goat to raise funds to found what became the Nyala Milk collection scheme. They started with 240 members, and have grown to over 30,000 members - the largest milk collection scheme in Kenya. It provides a secure income for farmers with as little as one cow.
The regular income has transformed the economy of the area:
- Young men can get a loan to buy a bicycle to collect the milk from the farms.
- Improved facilities in the villages.
- Buyers come to the area for produce, because they see what the local farmers have to offer.
- Local employment has thus been created for many young people who would otherwise go to the towns.