Utilisation of Innovative Technologies in Smallholder Farms: A Model for Sustainable Dairy Enterprise in Kenya

Abstract

Dairy industry is poised to make significant strides toward a sustainable food system. Feeding the world efficiently and responsibly, while conserving the planet's natural resources, is a key sustainability challenge worldwide not only for dairy farmers but also for other food and agriculture sectors. In Kenya, smallhoder dairy commercialization programme's (SDCP) technical support component provided the beneficiary to the farmers with appropriate innovative technical skills and support to enable them to participate in and benefit fully from sustainable market-driven dairy enterprise. This study investigates utilisation of innovative dairy technologies initiated by SDCP for sustainable dairy enterprise development in Nyamira County, Kenya. The sample size was 220 smallholder farmers (109 men, 111 women; age range 27–77 years), which were drawn from 40 dairy groups in the programme area. Multistage sampling technique were employed. Interview schedule and focused group discussion were the main data collection methods. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics such as numerical counts, frequencies and percentages. The yes or no dichotomous was used to measure utilisation. The study reveals compost making (95.41%), polythene biogas digester (84.40%), organic fodder production-Tumbukiza (81.65%) and eco-milk packaging (74.77%) as most utilized dairy innovations among the respondents. Low cost market information system was the least utilised at 49.08%. The study recommends to the agricultural policy makers worldwide that the replication of these technologies among smallholder dairy farms so as to continue providing nutritious, hygienic and market-driven dairy products while optimising sustainable natural resource use. Digital application-low cost market information system, should be enhanced through professional groups to help address proliferation of unsubstantiated facts.