Community Builds First Local Milk Collection Facility
Soaring summer temperatures could not keep a crowd from participating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Nur Sud Milk Collection Point in Chakhyrly (Masally district), Azerbaijan on June 26, 2008. One hundred local residents gathered to celebrate the launch of the first reliable, local collection point for milk produced by member farmers of Najaf LLC.
The celebration was the culmination of years of work by local residents. In late 2005, Chakhyrly residents formed a Community Development Council (CDC) with support from USAID’s Community Development Activity (CDA). CDA, implemented by USAID partner CHF International, provides Azerbaijani citizens with the training and skills needed to work together to identify community needs and manage local development.
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| U.S. Ambassador Anne Derse and USAID’s Yamashita pour first liters of milk to Chakhyrly’s new milk storage tank. |
In 2007, through several meetings and formal planning approaches, the CDC identified several projects critical to community well-being. Based on their successful track record with other CDA-supported projects, Chakhyryly received funding to establish a milk collection point—one of the most pressing needs identified.
During the launch ceremony, U.S. Ambassador Anne Derse and USAID Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator Ken Yamashita helped pour milk into the 1800-liter (480 gallon) milk storage tank.
Other notable guests at the celebration included Gazanfar Agayev, Head of Masally Excom; Scott Taylor, USAID Country Coordinator; and Zoran Radic, CHF International Country Director.
Ambassador Derse congratulated the Chakhyrly community on their many successes, emphasizing the benefits of a sustainable income source and milk market for area farmers. In particular, she thanked the community, municipality, and business contributors for their many examples of leadership and excellence.
USAID’s Yamashita praised the CDC for coming together to identify their community’s most pressing needs and working collaboratively in a structured way to build practical solutions. CDC leader Yashar Gozalov spoke about of the achievements made as a result of the community’s CDA participation. Nur Sud dairy general manager Zeki Ashchi invited guests to sample the milk, yogurt, and other dairy products on hand.
On its first day of operations, Nur Sur output totaled 200 liters; two weeks later, 700 liters. Over 70 farms now sell their milk through Najaf and look to sign Najaf agreements for long-term cooperation.
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