IMPACT OF MARKETING CHANNELS, FEED SUPPLEMENTS AND CREDIT ACCESS ON MILK PRODUCTION AMONG SMALLHOLDER DAIRY FARMERS IN CHUKA SUBCOUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Kenya dairy farming contributes approximately 17% of the Gross Domestic Product. Kenyan milk production has been projected to be between seven to nine litres/cow/day, way below international standards whereby a cow produces 25 to 28 litres/cow/day. Low yield of milk is attributed to lack of adequate information on relationship between age, education level, training, experience, marketing channels, feed supplements, credit access and milk production by the majority of the smallholder dairy farmers. This study determined the relationship between age, education level, training, experience, marketing channels, feed supplements (concentrate and minerals), credit access and milk production among smallholder dairy farmers in Chuka Sub County. The research design was correlational and stratified random sampling technique was used, with 238 respondents from a target population of 7396 farmers. Data was analysed using simple and multiple regression models. The study revealed that age education level, experience, were not significant predictors for milk yield. However, training in dairy farming was significant related to milk production. Inclusion of feed supplements was a significant predictor mineral mix provision; concentrate provision of milk yield. Marketing channels, credit access, were insignificant predictors of milk yield. Concentrate and mineral mix were significantly and positively correlated to milk yield. However, marketing channels and credit access were not significantly correlated to milk yield. The study concludes that feed supplements and mineral mix are important in predicting variations in milk yield.