Some economic aspects of small ruminant production by small scale farmers in the Asal - a case study of West Laikipia

Abstract

It is estimated that 82% of Kenya's population is living in the rural areas (GOK • 1991 P 2), mainly as small scale farmers. Those (the small scale farmers) in the ASAL have to depend a lot on livestock production for their household income. As their farms are small, and their capital bases are low, many of these small scale farmers depend a lot on small ruminant production as a source of household income. Therefore, this study looked at some of the important socioeconomic aspects that affect decisions in small ruminant production enterprises in West Laikipia, and the contribution of these enterprises to household income and net farm income. The secondary data for this study were from Laikipia Research Programme and Ministry of Livestock Development, and to a lesser extent, from other Ministries. , Primary data, on the other hand, were from a survey of 65 small scale farmers in Salama and Muruku,in West Laikipia. Descriptive and cross tabulation methods were used in data analysis. The results of the study revealed that small scale farmers preferred sheep to goats; they outnumbered goats by 2:1. The study found that small ruminant production was an significant source of household income; small ruminant production was one of the two most significant sources of household income. The study also found that one third of the household income was contributed by income from small ruminant production. However, small ruminant production was hampered by disease and lack of water. At the same time, it received very little extension advisory service from Ministry of Livestock Development. Therefore, the current study recommends firstly, that projects on small ruminant production, and especially those that will promote sheep production, should be initiated in order to improve the productivity of small ruminant production enterprises. Secondly, extension advisory servrce of Ministry of Livestock development needs to be improved. .. Finally, small scale farmers did not consider insufficient grazing to be a major problem because of the grazing available in the unoccupied farms. Nevertheless, nutrition is an area which needs to be addressed by the Ministry of Livestock Development, because grazing area will continue to diminish as the unoccupied farms in the study area are settled.