| dc.description.abstract | Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the benefits of keeping donkeys and associated production challenges under
a smallholder farming system in Kenya.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted with smallholder farmers keeping donkeys in 13 administrative
locations in Kirinyaga County. Data were collected using a questionnaire guide in 13 focus group discussions (FGDs)
using participatory epidemiological methods. The FGDs comprised 8-12 participants who were donkey owners. Data were
collected through listing, pair-wise ranking, and probing on the benefits of keeping donkeys, challenges faced by working
donkeys and the common diseases that affect donkeys in these farms. Data analysis was performed using Kruskal–Wallis
non-parametric method to test whether median ranks were significantly different. Other farm level data were also collected
using the structured questionnaire and these were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods.
Results: The identified benefits included income obtained from the use of donkeys in transportation (Z=5.80) and manure
production (Z=3.47), which enabled the farmers to participate in trade activities and improve crop farming. The identified
challenges included theft for slaughter (Z=5.99), disease incidence (Z=3.03), road accidents (Z=2.83), and malicious cutting
(Z=2.32). Some of the diseases identified were tetanus (Z=5.35), hoof problems (Z=4.55), helminthiases (Z=3.10), and
mange (Z=2.24). Participants ranked diseases based on their effects on work output for the donkeys, reducing productivity
and often causing death. Addressing these production challenges would optimize donkey use among smallholder farmers.
Conclusion: The results presented can be important for policymakers and extension agents regarding the health and welfare
of donkeys kept under similar settings.
Keywords: benefits and challenges, income, livelihoods, working donkeys | en_US |
