In this edition of #VETSVolunteerVoices, we shift perspective — from volunteer reflections to the voice of a local VETS program partner working directly with farmers on the ground. Meet Rebecca Ndembo, an Extension Officer with Wakulima Dairy in Nyeri County, Kenya. For several years, Rebecca has worked alongside farmers and VETS volunteers to strengthen dairy practices, improve animal health, and support more resilient rural livelihoods.
Working with Farmers in Nyeri County
In Kenya’s Nyeri County, dairy farming is part of daily life — and so is the work of supporting farmers to strengthen it.
As an agricultural extension officer with Wakulima Dairy, I work closely with smallholder farmers to help them improve their practices, care for their animals, and build more sustainable livelihoods. I hold a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and human ecology extension from Egerton University.
Wakulima Dairy is a farmer-owned organization based in Mukurweini Sub-County in Nyeri County, Kenya. We collect milk from farmers, add value through processing, and connect them to reliable markets. Beyond milk collection, we provide financial services through our SACCO, veterinary support, and extension training. These services help farmers strengthen their dairy enterprises and improve their livelihoods.
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Where Volunteers and Local Knowledge Meet
Wakulima Dairy began working with Veterinarians Without Borders through its predecessor, Farmers Helping Farmers, more than a decade ago. Over the past five years, I have worked closely with volunteers through the VETS Program.
Working with volunteers is always a moment of exchange between local knowledge and professional experience from different contexts. Volunteers bring new ideas and perspectives, while our extension team helps adapt these approaches to the realities of smallholder farming.
Even with strong internal extension and veterinary support, farmers still faced challenges — particularly around cow comfort, zoonotic disease prevention, and maintaining quality forage and balanced nutrition.
Through collaboration with VETS volunteers, we have been able to strengthen how we address these challenges in practical, lasting ways.
Women Gaining a Voice in Dairy Farming
One of the most meaningful changes I have seen is the increased involvement of women in decision-making within family dairy businesses. Through gender-inclusive training, more women are now actively participating in managing dairy operations. Many have opened bank accounts and are managing income from milk sales, especially in households where men are engaged in other employment.
This shift is significant. Women often play a central role in daily farm operations, and when they have access to knowledge, financial tools, and leadership opportunities, the benefits extend across the household.
Small Changes with Big Impact
Training through the VETS program has led to practical changes that farmers are adopting on their farms. Through One Health training, many farmers have installed biogas systems. These systems provide an affordable source of energy while also producing slurry that improves soil health.
One moment that has stayed with me was a training on animal nutrition delivered by VETS volunteer Dr. Muller Fotsac, who spent six months working with dairy farmers across Kenya. During one session, he emphasized the value of a plant many farmers had often overlooked — Tithonia diversifolia. Its high nutritional value makes it an important addition to livestock feed.
This may seem like a small insight, but for many farmers, improving feed quality can make a significant difference in milk production and overall herd health. I have continued to share this knowledge in my work, and it remains a powerful example of how simple, practical training can lead to meaningful change on the farm.
A Farmer’s Journey of Transformation
Among the many farmers I work with, one story that stands out is that of Mercy Wanjiku Mwangi, a Community One Health Champion based in Nyeri County. Mercy’s journey reflects what is possible when farmers are supported with the right knowledge, tools, and ongoing guidance. Through training delivered by Wakulima Dairy and VETS volunteers, she strengthened her skills in dairy management, calf rearing, and fodder production, while also adopting practices such as biogas utilization.
Today, Mercy is not only running a productive dairy farm — she is also a leader in her community. She supports multiple farmer groups, providing training and one-on-one guidance to help others improve their farming practices.
What stands out most to me is how her confidence and leadership have grown. She now works alongside her husband in managing their dairy enterprise, creating a stable source of income that supports their family and their children’s education.
Stories like Mercy’s show how extension work, combined with volunteer expertise and community leadership, can create lasting change that reaches far beyond a single farm.
Looking Ahead
The VETS partnership supports long-term learning by providing training materials that extension teams can continue using after volunteers complete their placements. Volunteers also work closely with extension officers, strengthening our ability to support farmers over time.
As I look ahead, I am encouraged by the growing interest of young farmers in dairy farming. Through training and exposure, more young people are beginning to see dairy farming as a viable and profitable enterprise.
My hope is that this work continues to strengthen farmers and families economically, improving livelihoods and contributing to more resilient communities. For Kenya’s dairy sector, this means improved quality and quantity of milk — and better products reaching the market. For me, that is the true impact of this work.
VETS is an 8-year initiative (2020-2028) to improve the economic and social well-being of marginalized people, particularly women and girls, in 6 countries across Africa and Asia. In collaboration with local partners, the program is implemented through 190 Canadian volunteers on international assignment and is generously funded by Global Affairs Canada. Learn more.
