DETERMINANTS OF SPATIAL VARIATION AND ADOPTION OF DAIRY GOAT FARMING INNYERI COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

The study examined the spatial variations and factors influencing the adoption of dairy goat farming in Nyeri. The study adopted a descriptive household survey design. Three-stage systematic sampling technique was applied to select a representative sample of 215 households from a population of 248,050. Both primary and secondary data were used in the study. Secondary data was collected through a thorough review of available literature while primary data was collected through face to face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. The results of the study showed that there existed spatial differences in adoption of dairy goat farming in Nyeri County. Chi-square test revealed that traditional goat farming experience, gender, household head age, agro-ecological zone, education, farmers’ group membership and access to extension services had significant impact on farmers’ dairy goat farming adoption decision in the study area. The study therefore recommends enhancement of dairy goat adoption through improving farmers’ access to extension services. More extension service providers should be trained and deployed to farm level. This will facilitate provision of timely and quality agricultural information on dairy goat farming. Policies geared towards empowering women also need to be promoted in order to increase their ability to engage in profitable dairy goat farming enterprises. In this regard, their access to financial resources and land should be improved. Farmers’ associations should also be strengthened so as to better play their role of offering technological, financial and informational support to farmers. The Ministry should collaborate with financial institutions to make credit accessible to farmers. Financial institutions should craft loan products tailored for smallholder farmers to assist overcome financial constraints.