Milk feels simple and familiar, yet its story is far more complex. It has shaped cultures, guided food policies and influenced how people think about health and belonging. In the UK and Kenya, milk carries deep emotional and historical weight. At the same time, it sits at the centre of powerful economic forces.
Milk and State Power
Governments have used milk to shape public behaviour. In the UK and Kenya, free school milk schemes told families that milk was essential for national well-being. During the Second World War, Britain pushed milk as a patriotic duty. Drinking milk was linked to strength, productivity and loyalty.
These messages helped build the idea that milk is a natural part of everyday life. They also set strong expectations: milk should be cheap, clean and always available.
Colonial History and Dairy Systems
Colonial administrations played a major role in shaping global dairy. They introduced new cattle breeds, new farm systems and new ideas about what “modern” dairy should look like. They also promoted milk as a sign of civilisation. Many communities were encouraged to drink more milk, even when it was not part of their food culture.
These choices still influence dairy systems today. Farmers in both Kenya and the UK now work within structures built for export markets and standardised production. Small producers must compete with systems designed for scale and efficiency.
The Hidden Cost of Cheap Milk
Modern consumers still imagine milk as wholesome and local. Many picture open fields, fresh grass and a calm dairy cow. In reality, milk often comes from complex industrial systems. Milk leaves the farm and moves through rapid cooling, bulk transport, pasteurisation, homogenisation, packaging and refrigerated delivery. This chain is long, technical and energy-heavy.
Farmers face rising costs while buyers expect low prices. Large processors and distributors control much of the value. Farmers earn a small share of the final price and struggle to stay profitable.
Changing the Dairy Cow
Milk yields have doubled in the UK since the 1970s. This rise did not come from better grass alone. High-yield cows need controlled feed, vet care, year-round management and advanced farm technology. These cows rarely match the gentle images seen in advertisements.
This gap between imagination and reality grows wider each year. Most consumers do not see the intensive systems needed to keep milk cheap and available.
Farmers Creating New Paths
Many farmers want a different model. Some now process milk on their farms and sell cheese or yoghurt directly to customers. Others join local networks or create small cooperatives. These choices help farmers keep more value and build trust with nearby communities.
Such changes show that dairy can move beyond old colonial and industrial patterns. Farmers can still produce milk while protecting their land, their animals and their cultural identity.
Milk as a Lens of Power
Milk reveals how food systems form and change. It shows how states shape eating habits, how colonial power built global agriculture, and how modern markets value scale over care.