Influence of farm-level interventions on households' livelihoods in Nandi County, Kenya

Abstract

Smallholder dairying is significant economic activity. However, the activity is fraught with low productivity thus increasing vulnerability of dairy farmers to poverty. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of dairy projects interventions on households’ livelihoods in EADD projects in Nandi County of Kenya. The objective of this paper was to establish the influence of farm-level interventions on the households’ livelihoods in Nandi County. The study adopted the mixed-methods approach and utilized the descriptive research design, with the target population of 5,400 small-scale dairy farmers and staff spread over three dairy projects of Kabiyet, Lelchego and Tanykina Dairies in Nandi County. The sample size was 360 respondents based on modified Cochran’s formula the head of the household being selected using a proportionate stratified random sampling technique. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and interview schedules, which was validated by expert judgments while reliability were assessed using Cronbach Alpha coefficient. Quantitative data obtained was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics which Pearson Correlation Coefficient. Qualitative data from interview schedules was analysed through content and thematic analysis. The inferential statistics showed that households’ livelihoods positively correlated with farm-level interventions (r = 0.385, p< 0.05). It was concluded that farm-level interventions have a significant influence on households’ livelihoods and positively relates to livelihoods. The study thus recommended that dairy farming cooperatives should improve the nature and form of technological interventions through the introduction of new breeds and sires to the farmers’ pool of resources to improve the milk production. They should also promote knowledge diffusion and innovation by taking the best farmers to the farmers training centres for short-term courses. The findings of this study will benefit various stakeholders engaged in development initiatives and programmes within Nandi County and beyond to device and adopt best dairy farming practices for better productivity and poverty reduction