Publication
Africa Agri-Food Development Progamme: Blues Creamery
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
Located in the Glen of Aherlow, County Tipperary, the Blues Creamery specialises in handcrafted artisan cheeses from cows, goats and sheeps milk. With the support of the AADP, the Blues Creamery is actively engaged in establishing Phase 1 of a cheese enterprise with Mubari Farmers Dairy Co Operative in the Eastern Province of Rwanda.
The Blues Creamery received €206,000 in funding from the AADP to co-finance its joint endeavours with its Rwandan joint venture partner.
The Blues Creamery has received 2 rounds of funding from the AADP - the first grant of €30,000 was invested in a feasibility study which commenced in 2020, whilst the second grant, secured in late 2021 year, is being invested in establishing ‘proof of concept’.
This invaluable AADP grant funding will support the Blues Creamery’s exciting aim to develop an artisan cheese enterprise in Rwanda with an established farmers’ co-operative which will include a visitor centre and café.
The project has the potential to have a hugely positive societal impact with increased local job creation and agricultural and eco-tourism.
The benefits to the Eastern Region in Rwanda also include technology exchange and the empowerment of the local community, who have an increased awareness and understanding of the potential of their own resources.
Peter Mc Donald from The Blues Creamery:
“The AADP provides substantial support for agri -food developmental projects. The Blues Creamery wouldn’t have been able to go ahead with the project without the funding from the AADP - none of it would have happened without their support. We couldn’t have taken on the full risk financially. I would absolutely recommend other businesses to engage with the AADP.”