Abstract
ABSTRACTTo understand farmers’ preference and perceptions of breed attributes, breeding and feeding practices, 419 households in western Kenya were interviewed in a cross-sectional survey. Respondents scored their preference for cattle breeds, traits and breeding methods on a scale of 1 (most preferred) to 5 (least preferred). Preferences were compared using multinomial logistic regression models on weighted scores. The Ayrshire breed was most preferred followed by the Friesian. Using hardship tolerance as a reference trait, the Friesian was preferred 4.86 times more for high milk production and Ayrshire, Jersey and Guernsey breeds 4.61, 4.60 and 4.18 times (p < 0.01) more, respectively, for milk fat content. The Ayrshire was preferred 4.16 times more for its perceived low feed requirement and 1.22 times more (p < 0.01) for resistance to diseases. Friesian was the only breed preferred (3.18 times more) (p < 0.01) for high growth rate of calves. Artificial insemination (AI) was the breeding method of choice, but majority (>68%) of respondents used natural mating, because it was readily available and cheaper. The current study highlights the importance of taking into account farmers’ objectives and the production environment when designing breed improvement programmes and recommends packaging of breeding together with feeding interventions.
Highlights
Dairying, which includes production distribution and sale, offers good opportunities for improving the standard of living of smallholder farmers in low and middle-income countries by the sale of milk, as well as improvement in household nutritional status as a result of higher milk consumption
The current study investigated the perceptions and preferences of specific attributes and breeds, and the breeding and feeding practices of smallholder farmers in western Kenya in order to understand the rationale underlying their breeding and feeding decisions
The Friesian and Ayrshire breeds were the dairy cattle breeds mentioned by most respondents (34% each)
Summary
Dairying, which includes production distribution and sale, offers good opportunities for improving the standard of living of smallholder farmers in low and middle-income countries by the sale of milk, as well as improvement in household nutritional status as a result of higher milk consumption. Because dairying provides employment opportunities on the farms and on livestock-related activities, such as feed collection and marketing, as well as veterinary and other services East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal is co-published by NISC Pty (Ltd) and Informa Limited (trading as Taylor & Francis Group). There has been increased adoption of dairy farming and even areas historically dominated by indigenous cattle in Kenya, are gradually being taken over by crossbreds and high grade exotic breeds (Baltenweck and Staal 2000)
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