The IDF National Committee in Russia will be led by Belov Artyom, CEO of Souzmoloko, the Russian National Union of Dairy Processors, and the Kenya National Committee for IDF will be led by Margaret Kibogy, managing director of the Kenya Dairy Board.
Kibogy said approximately 1.5m small-scale dairy farmers, who produce the bulk of the 5.2bn liters of milk per annum, derive livelihoods from milk production, and the dairy sector contributes approximately 4% to the national GDP.
“Through this membership, the country will benefit from the engagement, knowledge sharing through the global platform. We will also play an active role in to discussion in the platform together with other industry players,” Kibogy said.
Dr Judith Bryans, president of the IDF, said, “We’re very happy to welcome both Russia and Kenya into the IDF membership. We look forward to working with them on the key issues facing the global dairy sector today. Having these countries at the table alongside our other members is incredibly important adding even more strength to our global voice, knowledge and expertise.
“In welcoming these two new members into its community, IDF is further demonstrating its valuable and ever-growing reach, ambition and influence within the global dairy sector.”
Caroline Emond, director general of IDF, said with the addition of two more countries to the IDF, the organization now represents more than 75% of the world’s milk supply.
“I look forward to collaborating with our new members on important issues and opportunities facing the global sector,” Emond said.