Socio-economics of smallholder dairy production in Kiambu District, Kenya

Abstract

Dairying within mixed farming smallholdings is an essential farming system in Kenya, producing 75% to 90% of the total milk supply. Dairy farming provides regular cash income and a way to intensify agricultural production for land constrained smallholder farmers. This study was undertaken in Kiambu District, Kenya which is predominately a high rainfall area with smallholder farms. Milk production in smallholder farms is low, averaging 5.8 kg./cow/day (Omore et al., 1994). It is considered that both improved husbandry methods and supply of strategic inputs including concentrates, better forage, artificial insemination and veterinary services, would improve current milk production levels. The objective of this study was to assess socio-economic features of smallholder dairy farms. In this paper we emphasize input use by farmers. We also compare average inputs with average milk production and prices. More detailed analyses of the profitability of milk production on these farms are in progress.