Our Impact
Investing in the dairy sector has a number of benefits. Some of the key potential benefits include the following:
Economic development: Investing in the dairy sector creates local, stable, non-seasonally affected jobs, and stimulates economic growth, particularly in rural areas.
Food security: Dairy production contributes to food security by providing a source of reliable, high-quality protein and other nutrients to the local and regional population.
Income generation: Dairy farming can provide a stable source of income for farmers and other members of the local community.
Improved nutrition: Milk and other dairy products are an important source of nutrients, particularly for children and pregnant women.
Environmental benefits: Properly managed dairy production can have a number of environmental benefits, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting soil health while minimising waste and maximising efficiency. CO2 per litre of milk can be reduced enormously through efficient feed systems and quality animals.
Gender equality: The dairy sector promotes gender equality by providing income-generating opportunities for women, who are often disproportionately impacted by poverty.
Investing in the dairy sector can have a range of positive social and environmental impacts, in addition to providing potential financial returns within a short time frame.
Environmental benefits
Jerseys are uniquely suited to underpinning the growth of dairy in sub-Saharan Africa.
They have a natural heat tolerance And naturally produce the highest quality milk for human consumption.
Compared to average milk, a glass of Jersey milk contains 15% to 20% more protein, 15% to 18% more calcium, and 10% to 12% more phosphorous, and also considerably higher levels of vitamin B12.
Jersey milk contains more solids-nonfat, protein, calcium and lactose compared to other breeds.
Cheese producers make 25% more cheese from Jersey milk and butter makers increase yields by over 30%—both at a lower cost per kilogram of product.
The efficiency of the dairy life-cycle assessment published by Dr. Jude Capper and Dr. Roger Cady in the January 2012 issue of the Journal of Dairy Science, determined that for Jerseys and Holsteins to produce the same amount of protein, milkfat and other solids, the Jersey population needs 32% less water, requires 11% less land, produces less waste and uses substantially less fossil fuels with a 20% reduction in total carbon footprint.
In terms of the amount of Jersey milk needed to produce 500,000 metric tons (1.1 billion pounds) of cheese, the reduction in carbon footprint is equal to taking 443,900 cars off the road annually.