Behind every social enterprise, there is a vocation, a leitmotiv that goes far beyond the simple quest for profit. In Africa, as elsewhere, there are organisations that have placed the well-being of the population at the heart of their policy. This is the case of La Laiterie du Berger, a Senegalese company that is socially responsible and supportive of the agribusiness sector. The company, which strongly advocates for the achievement of MDGs 2 (zero hunger) and 8 (decent work and economic growth), produces and markets dairy products from local Senegalese milk. In this Fanaka StoryIn this section, we take you on a journey of discovery of La laiterie du Berger, its vocation and its impact on traditional livestock farmers in Senegal.
Who is the Laiterie du Berger?
The Dairy of the Shepherd was founded in 2006 in Senegal. Bagoré Bathily, a veterinarian who for many years looked after the cows of nomadic cattle farmers in the northern region of Senegal, is the founder. This experience led Bathily to make the following astonishing observation: 30 % of the Senegalese population lives from livestock, yet 90 % of the milk consumed in this country is imported in the form of powder.
This led to the idea of starting a dairy farm where dairy products would be produced under the brand name DolimaThis initiative has enabled farmers to generate a steady income while contributing to the creation of a real value chain. This initiative has enabled the farmers to generate a steady income while contributing to the creation of a real sector. Thanks to Dolima, La Laiterie du Berger has and continues to have a real social impact, particularly on the community of Senegalese breeders.
Dolima: good for me, good for my country
This is the slogan of Dolima. A slogan that expresses the local roots and the company's desire to solve a social problem. Under the Dolima brand, Laiterie du Berger produces milk, yoghurt, cottage cheese and many other dairy products that are marketed in Dakar and other regions of Senegal. The raw milk used in the preparation of the various products comes from farmers in the northern region of the country. In addition, to ensure the quality of the milk produced by this community, the Laiterie du Berger provides veterinary and technical support to each of the breeders.
Through these varied offers, the company has positioned itself as a reference in the supply of dairy products in Senegal.
In Wolof, Dolima means: I want more; more social and community impact, more jobs created, more income generated, more improved consumption habits and more local production. And this is exactly what La Laiterie du Berger is offering to farmers and the entire dairy industry in Senegal.
The Laiterie du Berger, an initiative with multiple benefits
For decades, demand for industrial and packaged dairy products in Senegal has been growing, so much so that it is estimated that by 2030, sales in the sector will increase to €220 million. This represents a real opportunity for The Shepherd's Dairy which also helps to meet the demand of consumers who are increasingly fond of local products.
The activities of the Laiterie du Berger aim to develop and enhance the local dairy industry. These activities have a certain impact on the sector. These include, among others
- Job creation throughout the supply chain, production, logistics and distribution;
- The opportunity for farmers to be trained in the best techniques for processing and managing their milk;
- The provision of tools and techniques for better herd management and health;
- Access for livestock keepers to services such as livestock feed and credit;
- Improving the living conditions of local livestock farmers.
It is a known fact that businesses have more impact when they do not exist than to generate income for their shareholders. It is this deep conviction that led Bagoré Bathily to create La Laiterie du Berger. The company, which is exclusively dedicated to the development of local dairy products, is a reference and a source of inspiration for a new generation of entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs who want to contribute to local development.
