Research

Historical Connections

Photo Credit: Roger Brain
Credit: Horniman Museum and Gardens

A research project investigating dairying in Kenya and the UK is of significant interest due to the intertwined histories and agricultural practices of the two regions.

A young girl, during holiday work, holds a large stick as she brings the cows into the farm yard for milking. 1914

The Employment of Children in Britain, 1914-1918
Credit: Imperial War Museums

Credit: ILRI/Ida Rademaker).

Historical Context of Kenyan Dairying

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From 1895 until 1963, the area that is now Kenya was under British colonial rule, forming part of British East Africa. Before colonial influence, Kenya had a diverse and rich dairying tradition, with different communities raising cows, goats, sheep, and camels.

Credit: Horniman Museum and Gardens

For applying charcol and cleaning out milk gourd, Kenya

Credit: Horniman Museum and Gardens

Colonial Influence on Dairy Farming in Kenya

The shift towards market-oriented dairy farming in Kenya began nearly a century ago when European settlers introduced dairy cattle breeds from their home countries. These settlers primarily settled in the fertile highlands of the Rift Valley and Central Provinces, areas known for their agricultural productivity. Under colonial law - Africans were not allowed to engage in commercial dairy farming. This only changed in 1954 following the implementation of the Swynnerton Plan.

The Swynnerton Plan, implemented in Kenya from 1954 to 1959, was the most extensive post-war colonial development initiative. It sought to enhance the colonial production of goods and raw materials through government intervention.This meant that Africans would have to participate in commercial farming.

Seven heifer calves from Lord Rayleigh's Terling herd to be exported by air to Kenya

Credit: Museum of English Rural Life
Farmer and Stockbreeder: Tarlton, John, 1914-1980

Credit: Museum of English Rural Life
Farmers Weekly, Topham, Charles, P FS PH2/B2/1

Pedigree Guernsey heifers Invicta Beauty, Invicta Mermaid and Bramble of Hare Hatch for Lady Macmillan in Kenya

Credit: Museum of English Rural Life
Farmer and Stockbreeder: Guy, Eric, 1892-1966
Photographer: P FS PH2/B20/7

Dairying in Britain during the 1950s

Meanwhile in Britain the 1950s saw concerted efforts by both Government and the Milk Marketing Board to increase milk consumption, with Advisory Boards recommending up to 2pts of milk should be consumed per day, per child.

This built on the 1946 amendment to the 1944 Education Act, guaranteeing free milk for children in schools, and subsidisation schemes that had since the 1930s sought to drive the cost of milk down to make it more affordable.

The combination of the two put enormous pressures on dairy farms to produce milk at high volume and low cost; something that dairy farmers continue to struggle with today.

A farmer helps load milk churns onto the lorry that will take them to the local town for delivery.

The close-fitting lid of a 10 gallon milk churn is put on by a dairyman at a dairy farm in Norfolk

Credit: Imperial War Museums, Collection - UK Ministry of Information United Kingdom's ministry of information Second World War official collection

A dairy maid cools and bottles milk at Old Parsonage Farm, Dartington

Credit: Imperial War Museums, Collection - UK Ministry of Information United Kingdom's ministry of information Second World War official collection

Post-Independence Developments in Kenyan Dairying

By the time Kenya gained independence in 1963, the dairy industry had seen significant growth, with the dairy herd comprising around 400,000 exotic cattle and their crosses with the indigenous East African zebu. This historical context provides a foundation for comparative research between Kenyan and British dairy farming practices, exploring the evolution, challenges, and innovations within the dairy sectors of both countries.

Zebu New Reservation Dairy, Ibadan, taken by Roger Brain

Credit: Roger Brain

European dairy breeds in Ibadan, Nigeria, taken by Roger Brain

New Revervation Dairy in Ibadan, Nigeria, taken by Roger Brain

Freisian in New Reservation Dairy, Ibadan, Nigeria, taken by Roger Brain

New Ministry of Agriculture Building in Ibadan, Nigeria, 1960, taken by Roger Brain

New Reservation lab, Ibadan, Nigeria taken by Roger Brain

Two milk bottles
Credit: Debby Hudson/Unsplash

Environmental and Social Implications

By examining the movements of people, plants, and animals, this research will trace the environmental changes linked to dairying, offering a long historical view that allows for analysis of the sustainability of these practices. Understanding the enduring heritage associated with dairying raises important questions about the impact of industrialization on community livelihoods, health, and well-being in both Kenya and the UK.

Research focus

In this project we are interested in the historical forces that have shaped our relationship with milk. This includes industrialisation and colonialism, as well as everyday memories of milk and dairy.

This is a glass slide showing a traditionaly English country scene of cows drinking in a shallow stream. The slide is from 1928. It was taken by South Shields Photographic Society's photographer Harrison Burgess. This image is part of the Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums set Harrison Burgess and the South Shields Photographic Society
Credit: Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums