Factors Influencing Performance of Cattle Production Projects in Samburu North Sub-county, Samburu County, Kenya

Abstract

Samburu North Sub County is inhabited mostly by semi-nomadic communities whose livelihoods hinge mostly on production of cattle. Various private and Non-Governmental Institutions have been instrumental in promoting cattle production as it is the only economic activity that the population rely on in this County. The objectives of this study were; To assess how climatic conditions in Samburu North Sub-County impact cattle production projects performance; To determine how cattle diseases impact cattle production projects performance in Samburu North Sub-County, to assess how insecurity has impacted cattle production projects performance within the region and to determine how the demand for cattle products influenced the performance of the cattle production projects in the area. This research used a descriptive study design. The target population consisted of cattle farmers, NGOs and CBOs staff and the County Government Agricultural Officers. The sample was selected through stratified random sampling method and 204 respondents were used in the study. Interviews schedules and semi structured questionnaires were administered to selected community members, Livestock officers and staff members of the NGOs and CBOS in order to understand factors which influence performance of cattle production projects in Samburu North Sub-County. The findings were tabulated and evaluated in order to confirm validity of the data gathered and also compare with other literary work presented on the same subject matter. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 24.0) was used in the data analysis. The presentations of the data were done using Tables and Prose. Results indicated that climatic condition had a negative and significant impact with cattle production projects performance (β =-0.535, p=0.000). Additional findings portrayed that cattle diseases had a negative and significant effect with cattle production projects performance (β =-0.182, p=0.004). In addition, the results portrayed that insecurity had a negative and significant impact on performance of cattle production projects (β =-0.266, p=0.000). Further results showed that high demand for cattle products had a positive and significant effect on cattle production performance (β =0.383, p=0.000). It was concluded that climatic conditions had a negative and significant influence on performance of cattle. In addition, water availability determines the performance of cattle production. Further, low rainfall and high temperatures makes the cattle production projects unsuccessful. It was also concluded that treatment and prevention of cattle disease improves performance of cattle production projects in Samburu North Sub-County. It was also concluded that putting conflict resolution mechanisms in place helps in bringing a peaceful coexistence among the tribes in Samburu North Sub-County. It was also concluded that increasing awareness to cattle farmers on the market data helped the improvement of the performance of cattle production projects. It was recommended that the Samburu County Government should make water easily accessible especially to the cattle farmers. This will improve the performance of cattle production projects. County Government should improve on prevention and treatment of cattle diseases in in order to promote cattle production projects performance in Samburu North Sub-County.