Danone-Ukraine in partnership with Heifer International Ukraine intends to invest €1,000,000 in the development of 23 agricultural milk cooperatives in Kherson, Kirovograd and Zaporizhia regions as well as the Crimea in 2010-2011. Director of Social Innovations of Danone (France) announced the intention at the press conference in Kherson.

Creation of milk cooperatives supported by Danone-Ukraine is one of the first projects at this level funded by the EcoFund Danone. Support from Heifer International Ukraine is supposed to be provided only at the initial stage of the project development.

The project is designed for 2 years. In 2010, ten cooperatives will receive financial support, including 4 cooperatives in Kherson region. Investment in the remaining cooperatives is planned for 2011. Danone has an intention to invest € 99,000,000 in another 20 similar projects in other countries around the world.

The cooperatives will be supported to create a closed cycle of production, which will ensure quality control of raw material at all stages of production - from pasture to the delivery of milk to the processor.

Twenty-three cooperatives were selected to participate in the project. Each cooperative will receive the equipment for storage and control of milk quality, equipment for artificial insemination. Additionally, some project participants (250 families - the cooperatives members) will receive milking equipment. In general, this project is aimed to involve around one thousand families that will become members of the cooperatives.

Danone Ukraine is one of the largest producers of dairy products in Ukraine.

MilkUa.info