Dairy Farming in Kenya

  

Date Posted: 4/16/2018 7:56:07 AM

Posted By: Musuwi  Membership Level: Silver  Total Points: 192

---

Dairy farming is the keeping of cattle for milk production. It is practised on large scale in the Central and Rift Valley and small scale in other parts of the country like Eastern,Coast and Western. 20% of Kenya's milk comes from large scale and 80% from small scale farmers. Most of Kenya's milk comes from small scale farmers who sell their milk in local markets.
TYPES OF DAIRY BREEDS
FRIESIAN
It is a black and white dairy cattle which originated from Netherlands.
JERSEY
It came from Jersey and South England in Britain.
It is adaptable to extreme heat and cold conditions.
AYRSHIRE
It is a high breed dairy cow which came from Scotland.
It has White and brown patches.
GUERNSEY
It is a high breed cow from France.
Most of the large scale dairy farms keep exotic dairy breeds which have high yields whereas small scale farmers keep local breeds of cattle which have lower yields compared to exotic breeds.
FACTORS FAVOURING DAIRY FARMING IN KENYA
These factors are divided into physical and human factors.
PHYSICAL FACTORS
1.LOW TEMPERATURES
Temperatures averaging to 18°C is ideal to the rearing of exotic breeds. This is because low temperatures do not favour the survival of pests hence the animals remain pest free hence healthy.
In Kenya these temperatures are common around Kenyan highlands and therefore most exotic breeds are kept in Central region of the country due to the cool temperatures. Other highland regions in the country should also take advantage of this and rear exotic breeds of Cattle to boost milk production on the country.
2.HIGH RAINFALL
High rainfall which is well distributed throughout the year ensures adequate natural pasture is available through out the year. Areas in Central and Rift valley receive high rainfall hence suitable for dairy farming.
3.FERTILE SOILS
Fertile volcanic soils ensures that nutritious pasture grow for the cattle.
There are other factors like the terrain of the land.

The land should be gentle sloping to allow the construction of grazing lands.

HUMAN FACTORS
1.AVAILABILITY OF CAPITAL
Capital to start a dairy farm should be available. This is to purchase exotic breeds of cattle,to acquire land to set up the dairy farm and hire workers to work in the farm. This can be provided by cooperatives.
2.WELL DEVELOPED INFRASTRUCTURE
Milk should be transported to the market in time. This requires well developed road network connecting the farm and the market and also processing factories. This can also be by use of railway transport or air transport depending on the destination.
3.AVAILABILITY OF A READY MARKET
Since milk is very perishable,it requires a ready market to purchase it immediately. This is why dairy farms should be located close to big towns and cities.
Dairy farming in Kenya is not well developed as that in Denmark. In Kenya the dairy sector is faced with a number of challenges which greatly lower production.

1.POOR MANAGEMENT OF COOPERATIVES
Marketing of milk is done by cooperatives that is Kenya Cooperative Creameries and other cooperatives. These cooperatives are mismanaged in that dairy farmers are paid very late after selling their milk through the cooperative.
2.DISEASES
Very few exotic dairy animals are affected by pests due to the cool temperatures which limit the survival of pests. However the dairy cattle are affected by diseases like Rinderpest,Foot and mouth disease, East coast fever and others.
These diseases lower the production of the animals hence little milk is collected.
3.DROUGHTS
Most places in Kenya experience a dry season. During this dry spell the amount of pasture reduces hence also the production of milk reduces. Farmers are forced to purchase extra feeds to boost the production during the dry season and this increases the operational costs of the dairy farm.
4.EXPENSIVE FARM INPUTS
Farm inputs like fertilizers for the pasture,medicine for the animals are sold expensively. This makes the running costs of a dairy farm very expensive.
5.IMPASSABLE ROADS
Some roads when it rains become impassable. This makes milk to take time before reaching the market or processing factories and some even get spoilt making the farmer to incur loses.

SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEMS FACING DAIRY FARMING IN KENYA
1.INVESTING IN TRAINING INSTITUTES
These training institutes give farmers the necessary knowledge on the best breeds to keep depending on the conditions of the place,best drugs to use for specific animal diseases and ways of increasing milk production.
The training should be free and facilitated by the government.
2.HOLDING AGRICULTURAL SHOWS
The government should organize agricultural shows where different farmers get to exchange ideas which will help boost milk production.
3.OFFERING CREDIT FACILITIES TO FARMERS
The government through cooperatives should extend credit facilities for purchasing feeds and drugs for the animals.
4.IMPROVING EXTENSION SERVICES TO FARMERS

After farmers sell their milk,it is processed and packaged ready for sell and some for export.

SIGNIFICANCE OF MILK TO KENYA
1.PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT FOR CITIZENS
Many Kenyans are employed in the dairy farms and processing industries. This reduces the unemployment rate in the country. Also jobless people can start dairy farming and earn a living out of it.
2.IT HAS IMPROVED THE STANDARDS OF LIVING OF KENYAN CITIZENS
Those who engage in dairy farming earn income which raises their standards of living.
3.PROMOTION OF OTHER INDUSTRIES
Milk is a raw material in other industries like yoghurt. Yoghurt industries completely depend on milk for its production. Availability of milk ensures continuous production of yoghurt.
4.FOREIGN EXCHANGE
After packing,some of the milk is packaged and exported to neighbouring countries like Uganda and also other countries. The money earned from this sales earns the country foreign exchange used in other development activities.
5.PROVISION OF PROTEINS
Milk is a major source of proteins which builds a healthy nation.

More farmers should start engaging in large scale dairy farming yo boost milk production in the country.

---

Next: The Status of the Film Industry in Kenya
Previous: Beef Farming in Kenya