Our Mission
Our mission is to empower rural and peri-urban communities in developing countries by driving sustainable economic growth through aligned investments in dairy value chains.
Using our expertise in agriculture and finance, and leveraging the strengths of our location - the island of Jersey, UK - we launch funds that prioritise scalable, environmentally friendly practices in the dairy industry.
We strive to maximise impact per dollar, recognising the correlation between impact and return, while supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our goal is to create profitable food security by investing in companies that shift towards more productive, sustainable models. Driving growth in domestic and export market share, and making a meaningful impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ultimately driving efficiency in food production.
“Food production systems are the only short-term solution to make a meaningful reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and rapidly provide carbon sequestration ”
Dairy expertise, financial acumen & development aid
“In two years (2017-19) Jersey’s ‘Inka Nziza’ project in Rwanda increased farm milk production by 50% (average milk production reported was 167 litres per month at Baseline, and rose to 247 litres per month at valuation) for 12,000 farmers, just by improving knowledge and access to appropriate inputs (especially fodder) - and this is BEFORE any effect of the cross breeding with Jerseys."
— Simon Boas, Jersey Overseas Aid
The Jersey Cow
The Jersey cow is an environmentally better option for dairy production in sub-Saharan Africa for several reasons. Firstly, Jersey cows are known for their high milk production efficiency. They produce milk with higher butterfat and protein content than other breeds, which means they require less feed to produce the same amount of milk. This results in a lower carbon footprint and a more sustainable operation.
A study by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) found that Jersey cows in Kenya produced 25% more milk per unit of feed than other breeds. Similarly, a study by the University of Nairobi found that Jersey cows in Tanzania produced 50% more milk per unit of feed than other breeds.
Additionally, Jersey cows are well-adapted to the harsh tropical climates of sub-Saharan Africa. They are able to tolerate heat and humidity better than other breeds, which means they require less energy for cooling and ventilation. This also results in a more sustainable operation.
Furthermore, Jersey cows are known for their longevity and fertility. They have a longer productive lifespan and a higher calving interval than other breeds, which means they require less replacement animals and result in less environmental impact.
In countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda, the Jersey cow has been found to be better suited for the local climate, feed resources and farmers' preferences than other breeds. This is why the Jersey cow is considered an environmentally better option for dairy production in sub-Saharan Africa.
