Client: The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED)
Country: Syria
Year: 2005-6
The Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED) is the for-profit arm of the Aga Khan Development network. AKFED is a very successful fund with interests in agriculture, infrastructure and power and telecoms throughout the developing world.
Service provided
Triple Line Consulting Ltd was commissioned to undertake a feasibility study of the Dairy sector in the Salamieh region of Syria. The study was conducted in two stages: an initial pre-feasibility to review the opportunities with dairies and in particular the opportunity of working with nomadic farmers to produce pecorini cheese for export from sheep’s milk.
The purpose of the study was to identify the potential investment opportunity for AKFED on the basis that the subsequent project would generate a commercial return whilst still fulfilling AKFED’s objective of promoting sustainable development and entrepreneurship in the private sector.
The feasibility study undertook a quick review of the sector and identified the key investment opportunities for AKFED , potential partners for AKFED and also set out the opportunities for the for the Aga Khan Development network to support farmers improve productivity and access to the markets
Achievements
- The study highlighted the problem of refrigerated milk collection and transport in Syria and the need to have a consistent and high quality supply of milk in order to have a viable investment for AKFED.
- An initial design for a milk outgrowers and collection scheme was undertaken for AKFED and some initial estimates of the potential export market. It was highlighted that considerable training in milk production and collection was required in order for the business to be viable.
- The study has been used by AKFED and AKDN to inform their overall programme of support and agricultural development strategy in Syria and plan for a potential investment in dairy production and processing.