Analysis of Factors Affecting Milk Production among Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Kinoni Sub County, Kiruhura District, Western Uganda

Abstract

This study assessed factors affecting milk production among smallholder dairy farmers in Kinoni sub county, Kiruhura district, Western Uganda. A sample of 52 cattle farmers’/milk producers of the total population participated in the study. 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 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, 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, average liters sold per day, distance to milk market, training services and the experience in dairy farming which factors influence the success of smallholder dairy farming and decisions to expand and improve dairy operations which eventually increases the likelihood of increasing average 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.