RDP project database
Improving the Welsh Dairy Supply Chain
Summary
Two complementary projects (Coleg Sir Gâr and DairyCo’s) will provide the dairy industry in Wales with the information and learning required in order to improve the dairy supply chain in terms of efficiency, sustainability and added value.
Background
Both projects have been developed in order to achieve the relevant objectives of the Dairy Industry Strategic Action Plan and the Welsh Dairy Roadmap. Coleg Sir Gâr Dairy Development Centre was launched in January 2002 and is based at the Resource Centre, Gelli Aur. The Dairy Development Centre undertakes activities to support the dairy sector in Wales including the establishment and delivery of development and demonstration farms together with support for discussion groups.
Objective
This is one of a number of projects that are aimed at supporting and developing a sector rather than being focussed on a specific issue or objective. This has meant that the project has no clear focus but instead has a number of aims that are to be tackled through separate work packages delivered in partnership by Coleg Sir Gar and DairyCo.
Main activities
The projects will deliver a number of activities which have been broken down into 4 modules which are: 1) Environmental Module addressing energy and water usage efficiency; 2) Health Module, covering knowledge transfer and dissemination of best practice in relation to animal health; 3) Production Efficiency Module to manage grass growth relative to stock demand and instil a collaborative venture approach to address the challenge of increasing herd size; 4) Supply Chain Module and Communication.
Results & Benefits
The project will result in an improved supply chain of the Welsh dairy industry especially in terms of efficiency. It will strengthen cooperation between various actors in agri-food sector initiatives, develop new and innovative approaches to supply chain integration and encourage and promote environmental sustainability.
Lessons learnt
Although the project has not been completed yet, lessons already evident include: cooperation can be more effective than isolated initiatives for improving supply chain efficiency; initiatives that target a specific sector in a region are likely to bring wider economy results rather than local/beneficiary centred benefits.
Project location and other information
The whole Wales territory
Region
Wales
RDP Territory
Wales
Total project cost (€)
2 627 747
EAFRD contribution (€)
2 482 920
National contribution (€)
144 827
Contact name
John Griffiths
Telephone
+44 1554 748570
Languages for contact
English
At a glance
Country
United Kingdom
Final beneficiary type
Individual farmers
Budget range
> €500 000
Start date:
12/03/2010
End Date:
31/03/2014
Theme / Measure:
Competitiveness of Agriculture & Forestry
Restructuring, developing physical potential, and promoting innovation
124: Cooperation for development of new products, processes and technologies
Keywords:
Agri-food industry, Awareness raising, Cooperation, Dairy sector, Environmental education
Last update
01/03/2012