Quality Management And Socio-economic Factors As Determinants Of Dairy Farmers’ Productivity; A Case Of Muthiru Dairy Self-help Group Of Maara District, Tharaka Nithi County.

Abstract

Quality Management thinking has influenced a revolution in the way organizations are managed over the past few decades. The study sought to evaluate determinant factors of productivity of farmers, who are members of Muthiru dairy self help group in Maara District of Tharaka Nithi County. Data was collected from randomly sampled 69 farmers across the three ecological zones of Muthiru dairy self help group and 4 management staff (Muthiru) using a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using frequency distribution and percentages. The quantitative methods employed was descriptive statistics to caption the effects of Quality management standards at Muthiru dairy in terms of products quality, accessible and affordable services delivery to its members and social economic characteristics in relation to determining farmers productivity levels. Factors of age, gender and education of a farmer was explored further. Also other factors critical to study were factors of credit access by farmers, and finally farmer participation in farmer groups. Questions were raised on how meaningful will be the impact in agricultural production when farmers are motivated with the needed credit facilities, Quality trainings and other crucial inputs, the study examined how social factors of age, gender and education of farmers affect farmers productivity levels. Despite ample trainings on quality management, access to credits and other farm inputs advanced to members by the Group the Net margins of majority of the individual farmers are still very low(less than ksh.10,000/- annually) according to the study findings. The situation requires interventions by all stakeholders to improve the dairy sector.