Factors affecting milk production in Kiruhura district: case study of Bujubwe parish

Abstract

This study focused on examining the factors affecting milk production among smallholder dairy farmers in Bujubwe parish, Kiruhura district. The study was based on different objectives that included; establishing the relationship between farmers’ demographic characteristics and milk production, exploring the relationship between marketing factors and milk production, and determining the relationship between farmers’ knowledge on dairy farming techniques and milk production. Data was collected from a sample of 90 dairy farmers from Bujubwe sub county using a well-designed questionnaire. The results revealed that the minimum and maximum age of milk producers were 24 years and 70 years old. The average age of farmer was 45 years. With the aid of ANOVA tables, no significant difference was found between milk production per day and Education level status of respondents. No significant difference was found between milk production per day and marital status of respondents. Agreeably, regression line suggests that milk production is predicted to increase by 1.054074 when education of farmers increases by one. Education of the farmers enhances the knowledge on skills that are required for the farmer to improve their production methods. Milk production is predicted to increase by 1.026523 when the average liters sold increases by one unit, the amount of milk produced significantly influences the amount of milk sold, and hence it is hypothesized to have a positive contribution on milk marketed. The success of smallholder dairy farming and average milk production per day depends on five factors such as education level, type of labor, and knowledge on dairy farming which influence the success of milk production. Therefore, there is a need for support programs by government and all stakeholders involved that will help to motivate individual farmers and strengthen co-operatives for better promotion of production and marketing of smallholder farmers.