DAIRY CATTLE PRODUCTIVITY ON SMALLHOLDER FARMS IN LURAMBI SUB-COUNTY OF KAKAMEGA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

The general objective of this study will be to examine the challenges facing small holder dairy farm productivity In Lurambi Sub County. The study will be guided by the following specific objectives: i) To determine the effects of management practices on small holder dairy farms In Lurambi Sub county; ii) To assess the extent of adoption of management practices on small holder dairy cattle productivity In Lurambi Sub county; iii) To evaluate strategic production, marketing and policy options that will improve small holder dairy productivity In Lurambi Sub county. The study will adopt a qualitative descriptive survey research design with a focus on small holder dairy farms In Lurambi Sub County, located in Kakamega County Kenya. A simple random sampling technique together with purposive sampling will be adopted to collect the necessary data. The study will work with a sample population of 400 dairy farmers who own between 1 and 5 dairy cows and either supply milk to a dairy cooperative or sell milk in the open market. A Pilot study will be carried out in Butsotso south ward and then sets of data analyzed using Cronbach alpha method which should yield an alpha value of 0.7 or more. Validity of research instruments will be tested using content, construct and face validity. Data collection will involve the use of questionnaires, interviews guides, focus group discussions, observation checklists as well as gathering secondary data from small holder farm records and from ministry of Agriculture, livestock and Cooperatives Development annual reports and reports from other stake holders. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics to determine the frequency distribution for the management and strategic management options of participants, chi-square tests, Analysis of variance and rank correlation, qualitative and quantitative data will be coded and analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS Software. The data will be tabulated using frequencies and percentages. The data will then be interpreted and presented in the form of tables, figures and graphical column charts. The research findings will provide real time information that will enable small holder farms to raise their milk production potential by applying the suggested best practices, in addition the Findings obtained will be vital to the Ministry of Agriculture and livestock and other policy makers in enforcing measures for achieving food security and poverty alleviation In Lurambi Sub county within Kenya and in Africa as a whole.