A delegation from Jersey, led by Deputy Carolyn Labey, Minister for International Development and Chair of Jersey Overseas Aid Commission, will visit Zambia to take part in the fourth African Jersey Forum conference, hosted by the Dairy Association of Zambia.
The African Jersey Forum (AJF), which has grown significantly since its inception in 2019, is an international dairy conference organised by the Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society (RJA&HS) in partnership with its Dairy for Development project partners and funded by Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA).
The event brings together stakeholders from the dairy industry, including farmers, governments, researchers and development partners from Africa and beyond, to share knowledge and practical experience. The focus across the three days is how the Jersey breed can help build a stronger, more productive and sustainable dairy sector. Key topics include women’s economic participation, climate resilience and genetic improvement.
This conference will not only showcase the world-renowned Jersey cow and raise the Island’s international profile, but also demonstrate how Jersey’s expertise in dairy genetics enables us to make a meaningful global contribution as an outward-looking Island and responsible global citizen.
The RJA&HS invited Zambia to host this year’s AJF conference in recognition of the strong partnership between Jersey and Zambia. JOA has been supporting development initiatives in Zambia for many years and currently has seven active projects across the country, spanning conservation livelihoods, financial inclusion and dairy for development sectors, all key themes in JOA’s International Development Grants programme.
The themes for these multiyear grants are selected for their proven effectiveness in delivering lasting change and focus on areas where Jersey’s skills and expertise can be shared to make a tangible difference.
The Jersey-Zambia dairy partnership operates under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two governments, first signed in 2022. Since then, the partnership has deepened, with an expanded Dairy for Development presence and high-level visits, including one last year by the Lieutenant Governor of Jersey, Jersey Overseas Aid’s Patron, to reaffirm the shared commitment to collaboration.
The MOU focuses on advancing cooperation and benefit in Dairy for Development and strengthening the ongoing bilateral relationship. Deputy Labey will be meeting with Dr Max Choombe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries & Livestock, to renew the MOU and extend the partnership for a further four years.
Deputy Labey commented: “It’s a privilege to represent the Government of Jersey at the African Jersey Forum. This international event shines a spotlight on the Jersey cow and provides an important platform to showcase Jersey’s leadership and contribution to the global dairy sector.
“It’s incredible to see how the AJF has grown from the first edition held in Rwanda in 2019. The Forum showcases the power of Jersey’s dairy industry in transforming opportunities for smallholder farmers in less privileged parts of the world by improving household incomes, food security for their families and economic development for rural communities.
“This event is an important platform to connect with many of our dairy partners from across Africa and beyond, strengthen relationships and explore opportunities to maximise the impact of our collaborative work through JOA and the RJA&HS.”
RJA&HS commented: “The African Jersey Forum is about bringing together people from across the dairy sector to share knowledge, build relationships and find practical solutions to common challenges. We are immensely proud of how the Forum has grown since its launch in 2019 and are delighted that the Dairy Association of Zambia will be hosting this year’s conference in Zambia, where the RJA&HS and Jersey Overseas Aid have developed such a strong and productive partnership.
“Over the three days, delegates will be able to learn from one another, hear directly from farmers and see the impact of dairy development initiatives in practice. We hope the connections and ideas generated through the Forum will lead to further collaboration and help strengthen productive, sustainable and resilient dairy sectors across the region.
“We are extremely grateful to the Dairy Association of Zambia for hosting the event, and to all our Dairy for Development project partners in Zambia for their support in bringing the conference together.”
