La Laiterie du Berger: Nurturing livestock, building futures

Fulani herders in northern Senegal used to live nomadically, following their cows and selling milk or meat at the market to get by. However, one Senegalese company is shifting that narrative, providing regular revenue to these farmers and helping them grow. La Laiterie du Berger (LDB) sources from more than 2,300 herders in the north of Senegal near Richard Toll. Daily on-site collections mean the herders can stay in one place, setting up farms and sending their children to school. LDB transforms milk into nutritious yogurt products that help feed the Senegalese population, which relies on imported dairy. With support from USAID’s West Africa Trade & Investment Hub, LDB has expanded its production and network, helping to ensure that herders make an adequate income and that they can produce higher quantities of milk. And they’re investing in the next generation of herders. The LDB incubation training program helps provide an opportunity for young woman herders to learn about farming and entrepreneurship, providing them with opportunities to grow their incomes and support their families.