Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Constraints affecting dairy goats milk production in Kenya

  • Regular Articles
  • Published:
Tropical Animal Health and Production Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In Kenya, the population of dairy goats is about 200,000 and 80% of these are reared in Mount Kenya region. They provide a quick source of milk for consumption or sale, which has an immense value especially to poor households. The small land sizes required for their rearing are especially useful in these highly populated areas. Although much research has been done on problems faced by dairy cattle farmers, limited information is available on problems faced by dairy goat farmers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the constraints affecting dairy goat production in Mount Kenya region. In a cross-sectional survey, 157 farmers were interviewed on major constraints using a semi-structured questionnaire. The results from the questionnaires showed that the main problems experienced by these farmers were as follows: lack of market of milk and goats 45% (71/157), diseases 33% (52/157), high cost of concentrates 25% (38/157), lack of feed 19% (30/157), problems of unreliable buck rotation program 16.5% (26/157), and insecurity 1.8% (3/157). The study revealed that dairy goat farmers in the region faced by a number of challenges and therefore, our recommendation is there is a need for farmers to be trained on innovative ways of value chain addition and other strategies to market their milk. Additionally, the government should put resources to salvage the milk plant and association members should put firm measures to improve management. Creation of farmer awareness, treatment, and disease control measures should be instituted to improve productivity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahuya, C. O, Ogara, W. O, Okeyo A. M, Njeru, F. M., 2001. The role of community based livestock improvement: A case study of farm Africa goat improvement project in Kenya, In Proceedings of the Tanzanian Society of Animal production (TSAP), 28.

  • Ahuya, C.O., Okeyo, A.M., Mosi, R.O., 2003. Growth survival and milk production performance of Toggenburgs and their crosses to East African and Galla goat breeds in the Eastern slopes of Mount Kenya, Proceedings of LPP International Workshop on Small Ruminants Research and Dissemination. Embu, Kenya, 3-7th March, 2003.

  • Ahuya, C.O., Okeyo, A.M, Mwangi-Njuru, D. and Peacock, C., 2005. Developmental challenges and opportunities in the goat industry, The Kenyan experience, The Journal of Small Ruminant Research, 60, 197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bett, R.C., Kosgey, I.S., Kahi, A.K., Peters, K.J., 2009. Realities in breed improvement programmes for dairy goats in East and Central Africa, Journal of Small Ruminant Research, 85, 157–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blood, D.C. and Radostits, O.M., 2000. Veterinary Medicine 7th Edition, Bailliere Tindale, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyazoglu, J., Hatziminaoglou, I., Morand-Fehr, P. 2005. The role of the goat in society: past, present and perspectives for the future. Small Ruminant Research 60, 13–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donklin, E.F. and Boyazoglu, P.A., 2004. Diseases and mortality of adult goats in a South African milk goat herd, South African Journal of Animal Science, 34, 254–257.

    Google Scholar 

  • Escareño, L., Gonzalez, H. S., Wurzinger, M., Iniguez, L., Solkner, J. and Herrera, C.M., 2013. Dairy goat production systems, Status quo, perspectives and challenges, Tropical Animal Health Production, 45(1), 17–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Food and Agriculture Organization (United Nations) FAO (2011). Dairy development in Kenya, by H.G. Muriuki. Rome.

  • Gonzalez, J. J. A, Hernandez, J. R. O.,Ibarra O. O., Gomez, J. J. U. and Fuentes, V.O., 2007. Poultry by-poduct meal as a feed supplement in mid-lactation dairy cows, Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advance, 6, 139–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gwaze, R. F., Chimonyo M., and Dzama K. 2009. Nutritionally related blood metabolites and faecal egg counts in indigenous Nguni goats of South Africa, South African Journal of Animal Science, 40, 480–483.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haenlein, G.F.W., 2004. Goat milk in human nutrition, Journal of Small Ruminant Research, 51, 155–163.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mbindyo, C.M., Gitao, G.C. and Bebora, L., 2014. A cross-sectional study on the prevalence of subclinical mastitis and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the bacterial isolates in milk samples of smallholder dairy goats in Kenya, American Journal of Research communication, 2(8), 30–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morand-Fehr, P., Boutonet, J. P., Devendra, C., Dubeuf, J. P., Haenlein, G.F.W., Holst, P., Mowlem, L. and Capote, J., 2004. Strategy for goat farming in the 21st century, Small Ruminant Research, 51, 175–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ndegwa, E.N., Mulei, C.M. and Munyua, S.J., 2000. The prevalence of subclinical mastitis in dairy goats in Kenya, Journal of South African Veterinary Association, 71 (1), 25–27.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ogola, T. D. O, Nguyo, W. K. and Kosgey, I. S., 2010. Dairy goat production practices in Kenya: Implications for a breeding programme. Livestock Research for Rural Development. Volume 22, Article #16. Retrieved September 14, 2017, from http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd22/1/ogol22016.htm.

  • Peacock C, 2005. Goats-A pathway out of poverty, Small Ruminant Research, 60, 179–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peacock, C. and Hastings, T. 2011. Meru dairy goat and animal healthcare project, International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 9 (1), 203–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramachadran, N., Prasad, S.and Raju, S., 2006. Mortality pattern in crossbred dairy goats in semi arid India, The Indian Journal of Animal Science, 76, 843–846.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shivairo, R. S., Matofari, J., Muleke, C. I., Migwi, P.K, Lugairi, E., 2013. Production Challenges and Socio-Economic Impact of Dairy Goat Farming amongst Smallholder Farmers in Kenya, Food Science and Quality Management, 17, 54–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Silanikove, N. U. and Leitner, G., 2014. Effects of subclinical mastitis and stage of lactation on milk quality in goats, Journal of Small Animal Research, 122, 76–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taufik, E, 2007. Microbiological investigation of raw goat milk from commercial dairy goat farm in Bogor, Indonesia–PhD Thesis Chiang Mai University And Freie Universitat, Berlin, http:/161.200.35.61/Data_files/ebook/FAVA2008/paperfile/PA011.pdf (Accessed 24.11.2016)

  • Waithanji, E., Njuki, J., Mburu, S., Kariuki, J., Njeru, F., (2015). A gendered analysis of goat ownership and marketing in Meru, Kenya, Development in Practice, 25 (2), 188–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the project “Improvement of dairy productivity and marketing in sub-humid and pastoral areas of Kenya through improved dairy value chain,” Kenya Agricultural Productivity and Agribusiness Project (KAPAP)CGS/CN/2010/LS/RC NO. O4.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053, Nairobi, 00625, Kenya

    C. M. Mbindyo & C. G. Gitao

  2. Department of Clinical Studies, Nairobi, Kenya

    S. G. Peter

Authors
  1. C. M. Mbindyo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. G. Gitao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. G. Peter
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. M. Mbindyo.

Ethics declarations

Use of the animals for research purposes was approved by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Biosafety, Animal Care Use Committee, University of Nairobi.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mbindyo, C.M., Gitao, C.G. & Peter, S.G. Constraints affecting dairy goats milk production in Kenya. Trop Anim Health Prod 50, 37–41 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-017-1397-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-017-1397-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation