DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF MILK PRICE AND SMALL-SCALE DAIRY FARMING IN KENYA: CASE OF CHEBUNYO WARD, BOMET COUNTY
Abstract
Purpose of the study: Dairy farming is an important agricultural subsector supporting almost 900 million people globally. India, Europe, USA, New Zealand and Australia are among the top dairy producers. East Africa region leads in Africa with Kenya among the top producers. The Kenya Dairy Master Plan (2010) envisions an innovative, commercially-oriented, globally competitive chain. Being agriculture focused county, Bomet envisages agro-processing and value addition key as per their County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP 2018). However, most small-scale dairy farmers, a majority in Kenya, have failed to transition from subsistence to commercialization. The study thus sought to investigate the influence of milk price on small-scale dairy farming in Chebunyo Ward, Bomet County.
Methodology: Descriptive survey research design was used. The target population was 1,122 small-scale dairy farmers. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and analysed using descriptive analysis.
Findings: Milk price does influence small-scale dairy farming. Better milk prices mean more farmers are likely to increase production, hence better household well-being.
Conclusion: Milk price is an important factor that influences small-scale dairy farming in Chebunyo Ward, Bomet County, Kenya. Better milk prices are likely to lead to increased production and improved household well-being for farmers.
Recommendations: Extensional officers should hold frequent meetings and training with farmers in the field to educate them on the importance of value addition in the dairy farming business. Farmers should be exposed to different successful concepts of value addition as they have been applied in other sectors and countries. This will help them to gain adequate knowledge on how to incorporate value addition within their dairy business and thus gain more income to boost their standards of living.
Keywords: Descriptive Analysis, Milk Price, Small-Scale, Dairy Farming, Chebunyo Ward
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