{"id":44212,"date":"2025-05-26T15:36:10","date_gmt":"2025-05-26T12:36:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sbs.strathmore.edu\/?p=44212"},"modified":"2025-05-26T16:21:49","modified_gmt":"2025-05-26T13:21:49","slug":"mma-students-visit-to-githunguri-dairy-co-operative-in-kiambu-kenya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sbs.strathmore.edu\/en_gb\/mma-students-visit-to-githunguri-dairy-co-operative-in-kiambu-kenya\/","title":{"rendered":"Master of Management in Agribusiness Students Visit Githunguri Dairy Co-operative in Kiambu, Kenya"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Saturday, May 3, 2025, students from the Master of Management in Agribusiness (MMA) Programme at Strathmore University Business School (SBS) undertook a field visit to\u00a0GDC SACCO Ltd.<\/strong>\u00a0in Githunguri, Kiambu County. Organized in partnership with the\u00a0Strathmore Agribusiness and Innovation Centre (SAFIC)<\/strong>, the visit aimed to bridge academic learning with real-world agribusiness experiences, allowing students to explore how cooperatives can drive rural development and sustainable food systems. GDC SACCO Ltd., established in 2003, has grown from a modest membership base to a Tier 1 SACCO with assets surpassing KShs. 5 billion (US$ 38 million) as of 2024. The SACCO primarily serves dairy farmers affiliated with the Githunguri Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society, offering a range of financial products tailored to the needs of its members.<\/p>\n

During the visit, Dr. Charles Kioko, the Chief Executive Officer of GDC SACCO, a presidential awardee, who has received Head of State Commendation (HSC), shared insights into the SACCO\u2019s journey and its role in supporting the local farming community. He emphasized the importance of good governance across the cooperative ecosystem and its players, professionalism, and community integration in achieving sustainable growth.<\/p>\n

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The visit was facilitated by SAFIC, a leading Africa Center of Excellence domiciled at SBS, focused on fostering sustainable agribusiness through education, research, and community engagement. SAFIC\u2019s mission is to equip future agribusiness leaders with practical exposure to real-life innovations and scalable models that address food security, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods. The visit was coordinated by Dr. David Mathuva as part of the experiential learning embedded in the Cooperative Organization and Management in the MMA program.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Through SAFIC\u2019s industry linkages, the students gained firsthand exposure to how cooperatives like GDC SACCO serve as financial engines in agricultural value chains. SAFIC continues to play a pivotal role in ensuring that MMA students are not only well-informed academically but also practically equipped to lead and innovate in Africa\u2019s agribusiness sector.<\/p>\n

Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/h3>\n