Influence of dairy farming practices on milk production in Kenya: a case of Githunguri constituency, Kiambu county

Abstract

Despite the growth in dairy farming over the years, there is a lot of imbalance in milk production experienced in different areas based on the approach from different farmers. Majority of farmers still fail to understand the connection between dairy productivity and farming practices. Without careful analysis of the patterns of benefits reaped from good farming practices, we cannot accept at the face value that dairy farming can be both fulfilling and satisfying. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of dairy farming practices on milk production in Githunguri Constituency, Kiambu County. The study sought to establish the extent to which dairy animal nutrition, animal health, animal hygiene, observance of animal welfare and socio-economic management influences milk production. The research design adopted in this research was descriptive survey. The target population of this study included10,136 dairy farmers in Githunguri Constituency. Stratified proportionate random sampling technique was used to select the sample. From each stratum the study used simple random sampling to select 384 respondents. A questionnaire with closed and open ended questions was used to obtain the data from the respondents. Qualitative data from the open ended questions was analyzed thematically by content analysis and the findings presented in prose. In order to effectively analyse the primary quantitative data, descriptive statistics including percentages, frequencies, means and standard deviation was used. Regression analysis was conducted to show the strength of the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Presentation of quantitative data was done using frequency in tables and graphs. The findings were animal health, animal nutrition, animal hygiene, animal welfare to a very great extent influenced the level of milk production and that socio- economic management to a great extent influenced milk production. The study concluded that animal nutrition is essential to animal health which in turn influence the level of milk produced, animal health to a very great extent influence the level of milk production and use of suitable and well maintenance of milking and storage equipment, milking under hygienic conditions to prevent physical and microbiological contamination, practicing good milking routines and ensuring high cleanliness standards when handling the cows were aspects of animal hygiene that influence the level of milk production. Undergoing training on hygiene milk production and following good milking techniques also influence milk production. The study recommended that animal nutritionists or ministry of livestock devise strategies on how to reach the unable farmers who desire to expand in dairy farming but are frequently faced with problems related to nutrition. Most of them claim that they don’t use chemical, toxin or prohibited ingredients but with animal nutritionist’s help this may be false. The farmers should be trained on how to know the behavior of animals and their reaction to circumstances as most of them lack these skills