Factors affecting sheep and goat milk consumption in arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya

Abstract

A study was carried out to determine the factors affecting sheep and goat milk consumption in arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya. Specifically the study sought to assess sheep and goat milk production, assess sheep and goat milk consumption, and identify sheep and goat management practices for optimal milk production in Kyawango and Kibauni Locations of Mwala Sub County of Machakos County. Data was collected from a sample of 120 respondents using questionnaires and observations and was analyzed using statistical package for social scientist software. The study established that sheep and goats are kept majorly for sell to earn income and production of milk and meat. Findings from this study have shown that goats produce more milk compared to sheep. On average, goats produce 1-2 litres of milk daily while sheep produce less than 1 litre per day. The study established that sheep and goat milk production is significantly affected by type of breeds and management practices such as deworming, supplementary feeding, watering and separation (p <0.05). It was also established that the levels of consumption of goat milk is higher than sheep milk where goat milk was consumed every day and by majority of family members. Sheep and goats milk is consumed raw, fermented and boiled. Goat milk is preserved by boiling and storing as well as pouring it into guards for fermentation. The different milk preservation measures are usually taken to ensure that goat milk smell among other characteristics which limits goats milk consumption are minimized and therefore increase its consumption. Mixed farmers were the majority (67.5%) where they kept crops and kept animals in the same farm although most households had land size of between 1-4 Ha which is quite limited for both crop and livestock keeping. Households had an average of 7 local breeds of goats in the farm and 1 local breed of sheep where women in the household were responsible for most of sheep and goat activities such as cleaning of the house, giving supplementary feeds, providing sheep and goats with water, milking of the sheep and goats and making decisions on the selling of the milk. It was established during the study that sheep and goat farmers practice extensive and semi-intensive methods of farming where in semi-intensive systems, sheep and goats are tethered at the garden for part of the day and taken to home and supplemented with crop by-products and in extensive system sheep and goats are left to graze or browse throughout the day and gathered to home at night. The major challenges associated with intensification of sheep and goats identified include limited grazing space and droughts. Capacity building farmers on proper sheep and goat management practices, genetic improvement by crossing local sheep and goats with improved breeds, creating awareness about the nutritional importance of sheep and goat milk, and on the public health concerns associated with sheep and goat milk consumption are recommended as practices that will lead to improved milk production and encourage consumption.