Effect of Socio-Demographic Characteristics on Kenyan Smallholder Dairy Farmers’ Adaptive Strategies to Climate Change Effects

Climate change (CC) impedes smallholder dairy industry in Kenya. Consequently, farmers’ adaptation to CC effects would greatly determine their resilience, profitability, and sustainable contribution to the economy. Socio-demography among other factors, determine smallholder farmers’ adaptive strategies to CC effects. This study sought to understand how smallholder dairy farmers in South Western Kenya adapt to climate changes and determine the relationship between famers’ adaptive strategies and their socio-demographics of sex, age, marital status, highest educational level, household size, and experience in dairying. Concurrent Fixed Mixed Methods were used to collect primary and secondary data. Reports and papers were reviewed for temperature and precipitation data, dairy population, production trends, and farmers’ socio-demographics. A survey questionnaire was administered to 367 smallholder dairy household heads with 10 years’ experience obtained through multi-stage sampling of respondents from 4 sub counties of Migori county. The data collected included the respondents’ socio-demographics, climate changes and adaptability to CC effects. Key informant interviews (KIIs) were conducted with heads of government departments of Livestock Production, Cooperative Development, Meteorology, Environment and Agriculture Sector Development Support Programme (ASDSP) in Migori County. Others included the leadership of Rongo Dairy Farmers’ Cooperative Society, Lichota Livestock Development Farm, and a Research Officer for Livestock Production Systems with Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO). Focus group discussions (FGDs), on the other hand, were conducted with old men and women (aged 60 years and above), and farmer groups from Rongo Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society, Cham Gi Wadu Dairy and Multipurpose Cooperative Society, and East Sakwa Farmers’ Development Group. These were obtained purposively based on dairying experience. Descriptive statistics (percentages) were used to describe climate change effect on smallholder dairying and farmers’ adaptation. Percentages, minimum and maximum values, means, range, and standard deviations were used to describe respondents’ socio-demographics. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effect of farmers’ socio-demographics on their adaptive strategies to CC effects. Results indicated that individually, male farmers were more likely to adopt mixed crop and livestock farming (Odds = 3.97;p = 0.02) and experience an increasing trend in income earning from milk sales (Odds = 0.63;p = 0.04). Individually, older farmers were significantly more likely to establish own fodder (Odds = 0.96;p = 0.03), keep non-Friesians and their crosses (Odds = 0.97;p = 0.02), and experience increasing trends in income earned from milk sales (odds = 1.02;p = 0.02). Individually, household size significantly influenced establishment of own fodder (Odds = 0.69;p = 0.00) and jointly with the other 5 socio-demographic factors (Odds = 0.70;p = 0.00). With other socio-demographic factors, male farmers were more likely to rely mainly on household labour (Odds = 0.32;p = 0.05). Thus, gender, age and household size were found to have significant effects on smallholder dairy farmers’ adaptation to climate change effects in the study area.

Adaptation of Smallholder Dairy Farmers in South Western Kenya to the Effects of Climate Change

Despite great potential, Kenyan smallholder dairying faces diminishing land sizes, high input costs, poor extension contacts, non-responsive price policies, and new pests and diseases. Climate change will worsen the situation. This study sought to assess smallholder dairy farmers’ climate change adaptation level in Southwestern Kenya. Adopting Concurrent Fixed Mixed Methods, primary and secondary data was collected. Reports and papers were reviewed for temperature and precipitation data, dairy population, production trends, and farmers’ socio-demographics. A survey questionnaire for climate changes and farmers’ adaptiveness was administered to 367 smallholder dairy household heads with 10 years’ experience, obtained by multi-stage sampling from 4 sub-counties. Key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with farmer groups, heads of research, government departments and livestock farms;and the old that were obtained purposively based on dairying experience. Percentages were used for climate change effect on smallholder dairying and farmers’ adaptation. Principal component analysis was used for factors with great influence on respondents’ climate change adaptiveness;while one proportion Z-score test was used for significant differences between adapters and non-adapters (p < 0.05). Flexible and systematic Framework Approach was used for qualitative data analysis by cases and 5 themes. Findings indicated that despite Migori County’s great dairying potential, climate changes have partly hindered full exploitation. Temperatures and rainfall increased slightly in 30 years;with feeds and water diminishing, and resistant diseases and parasites emerging. Upon ranking, pasture loss (42.2%);over-grazing (41.1%);cattle under-feeding (39.5%);and increasing cattle diseases and pests (61.0%) had high impact;while drying water sources (37.1%) had moderate effect. Farmers’ adaptiveness included mixed farming (96.5%);non-intensive dairying (95.1%);establishing own fodder (92.4%);rearing crossbred dairy cattle (87.7%);reducing dairy herd size to 2 (92.9%);relying mainly on household labour (94.6%);and maintaining a 10-year increasing trend in milk-income (68.4%). Z-scores indicated significant differences between adapters and non-adopters (p < 0.05). Civil societies, academic and research institutions should intensify farmer advisory services to complement government extension.

Knowledge and preventive practices of livestock farmers on infectious causes of reproductive disorders in dairy cows in the Kembata Tambaro zone,southern Ethiopia

Several studies in Ethiopia have shown a high prevalence of reproductive disorders(RDs)in dairy cows.However,there is a lack of information about the levels of knowledge among farming community about the causes associated with RDs.A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study design was administered to 278 livestock farmers(LFs)in the Kembata Tambaro zone to evaluate knowledge and preventive practices on infectious causes of RDs in dairy cows.The results show that almost all farmers had heard about RDs,but more than half did not realize that reproductive system infections(RSIs)could cause RDs in dairy cows.A significant number of participants were not aware of the spread of RSIs between animals through sharing of breeding bulls,ingestion of urine contaminated feed,unhygienic management,sharing of equipment between milking cows,and interactions with contagious animals.The majority of LFs reported that they frequently consulted with traditional healers regarding the treatment of RDs,but very few looked for veterinary assistance.The results of multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that level of education and living areas were factors significantly and positively associated with knowledge about RSIs.Likewise,occupation,level of education and being knowledgeable about RSIs were significantly associated with good preventive practices.Veterinarians and responsible authorities should take these results into consideration to educate farmers on preventing losses attributed to RSIs.

Understanding the Nexus between Climate Change, the Shift in Land Use toward Cashew Production and Rural Food Security in Ghana;the Experiences of Farmers in the Transition Zone of Ghana

This study summarises the findings from a study investigating rural small-holding farmers’experiences on the shift from food crop to cashew in the forest/savanna transitional agro-ecological zone of Ghana and its impact on rural food security.Using a mix method approach,the study sampled the views of 400 farmers from 9 farming communities in the Wenchi Municipality of Ghana via questionnaire and semi-structured interview and collated statistical data on crop production to trace the nexus between climate change,agrarian land-use decisions and food security.The study found evidence of increasing shift from food crop to cashew production.This was evidenced by increasing cashew cultivation and cashew output and decreasing total land acreage for food crops and increasing food insecurity of farmers.The findings revealed that about 71%of farmers had expanded their cashew farms and another 41.0%have turned their food crops’lands to cashew production.Besides cashew production,(57.0%)has overtaken the traditional food crop-maize(25.5%)production in terms of output.Instructively,the study found that the main motivation for the shift from food crop to cashew production is not only to maximise income in bulk,but also climate change adaptability issues.The study found that the cashew crop is resilient in adapting to the changing climate and less prone to pests’invasion compared to maize in the study District.The study found that food security among rural folks had been seriously compromised by the conversion of farmlands from food crop to cashew farming.Although,the study found that female farmers have higher consciousness to food security yet less motivated to shift from food crop to cashew crop production compared to men.Worryingly,females are the hardest hit group because of their low ownership of or access to farmlands and low voices of women in farmland use decision making in a men-dominant rural extended family setting of the study District.The study concludes that climate change adaptability concern has introduced a new set of risks including crop failure due to changing rainfall pattern and increasing incidence of pest invasions forcing the rural folks to compromise innovative indigenous farming focus and practices that have helped them to navigate extreme food poverty.This study,therefore,argues for improved food crop seeds tailored to the specific climatic context and innovative farming practices that beef-up small-holding farmers’capacity to navigate climate change to continually produce food crop to ensure rural food security and sustainability.

A Transaction Cost Analysis on the Acquisition of Rice Seed by Small-Scale Farmers in ECA Region： Generating Empirical Evidence in Tanzania

The present study is an attempt to develop empirical evidence of transaction costs that rice farmers incur in production and other factors that affect farmers＇ demand for seed and estimating the proportion of costs accounted for by transaction costs due to quality seed in the formal and informal sectors, and analyze how these costs affect sourcing decision. An agricultural household model was developed from the study area. To test the model, information was collected in a survey of 387 households. There is now empirical evidence that transaction cost in rice seed acquisition in Tanzanian agriculture is an added cost to the farmer in the process of purchasing seed. Descriptive analysis shows that about 18% of the total seed cost is accounted for transaction cost, which is 2% of the total variable cost in farmers＇ rice farming. Econometric model was fitted to the household data to determine the factors hindering farmers to use purchased quality seed. Factors that were significant in influencing transaction cost include information search, seed source, farmers＇ seed arrangements, trust, and distance from farmers＇ homestead to the seed source, location and age of the farmer. We recommend that, policy amendments inclined towards reduction of the transaction costs can improve the profitability of the rice enterprise by increasing the demand for inputs.

农牧民乳制品质量安全的风险感知、政府质量监管的信任与购买意向和行为研究

为了促进农村牧区乳制品消费市场的健康发展,本研究依据内蒙古自治区的东部、中部及西部5个盟市的544份农牧户问卷调查结果,在对农牧民乳制品质量安全的风险感知、对乳制品加工企业的信任情况、对乳制品品牌的满意度、对政府监管乳制品市场的信任度及农牧民对乳制品购买意向和行为统计描述分析的基础上,运用结构方程模型验证它们之间的关系。结果表明:农牧民对乳制品质量安全表现出一定的担忧,但对乳制品加工企业的信任情况、乳制品品牌的满意度、政府监管乳制品市场的信任度较高;此外,农牧民对乳制品有比较高的购买意向,且农牧民购买乳制品的种类以保质期较长的奶茶粉、奶粉等为主,购买种类比较单一;农牧民对乳制品质量安全的风险感知、质量水平的信任、政府监管的信任及品牌的信任均通过购买意向在1%水平上显著影响其购买行为。其中,除了风险感知极显著负向影响购买行为外,其余三个因素均正向影响购买行为。基于此,乳制品企业在产品质量的提高方面要不断下功夫,政府要加大对乳制品市场监管的力度,不断提高公信力,加大农牧区乳制品消费的宣传工作,提高农牧民对乳制品消费的信心和认知,引导农牧民对乳制品多样化的消费,以促进乳业在农牧区的可持续发展。

黑龙江省林甸县奶牛养殖户发展问题及对策研究

奶牛是最为常见畜牧养殖产业中的养殖品种之一,近年,随着经济的进步和“奶业振兴”的发展,奶牛养殖场在林甸县市场逐渐扩大,奶牛养殖户也随之增多,奶牛数量增加明显。但是,奶牛养殖户的效益因为市场各种综合因素的制约而降低,让很多奶牛养殖户束手无策。该文以“林甸县奶牛养殖户”作为研究对象,剖析制约林甸县奶牛养殖户发展的因素,并提出相应的建议,以期为林甸县奶牛养殖户的发展提供参考。

On-farm use of legume (<i>Phaseolus calcaratus</i>) and Ruzi grass on rumen fermentation and milk production in lactating dairy cows

The experiment was conducted on 10 small-holder dairy farmers under the administration of Dairy Promotion Organization of Thailand (DPO) in the Northeast region of Thailand. The aim of the research was to investigate the effect of legume (Phaseolus calcaratus, PC) as roughage mixed with Ruzi grass for dairy cows. Fours cows per farm were assigned into 2 groups including Ruzi grass (control) and PC mixed with ruzi grass (at the ratio 50:50), were given ad libitum as a roughage sources. All cows were offered a concentrate with ratio to milk yield of 1:2. The results revealed that roughage source did not affect on ruminal pH and temperature, ammonia nitrogen, blood urea nitrogen, and milk urea nitrogen concentrations. Total volatile fatty acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid proportions, and acetic acid to propionic acid ratio were not significantly different among treatments. Dry matter intake and digestibility of nutrient including dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber were not significantly different among treatments. Moreover, amount of digested dry mater was similar among treatments. However, cows received PC mixed with Ruzi grass tended to be higher on dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein digestibility and dry matter digestible nutrient intake than control group. Milk yield, and 3.5% fat corrected milk were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in cow fed with PC mixed Ruzi grass than those the control group. Milk compositions and feed cost were similar among treatments;in contrast, the income and profit from milk selling were greater in cows fed with PC mixed with Ruzi grass than the control. High quality roughage such as PC mixed with Ruzi grass could be advantages for dairy farming in the Northeast of Thailand.

Factors Associated with Body Weight Attainment in Calves on Smallholder Dairy Farms in Tanzania

In order to investigate associations between individual calf parameters and/or herd management practices and dairy calf body weight (BW) attainment in smallholder farms in Tanzania, a prospective study was carried out at 121 farms in Mvomero and Njombe districts and included 156 crossbred dairy calves. Information on management factors and sources of calf drinking water were collected by personal observation and interview during four visits. At each visit, BW assessments were conducted by the same veterinarian and blood samples collected. The blood samples were analyzed for hematological parameters, total blood protein, glucose, and serum phosphorus and urea. Low BW was associated with smaller amount of milk fed to calves, early weaning, birth during the wet season, and well/tap water as the main water source (P < 0.05). Low blood total protein, high urea, low phosphorus and low hemoglobin concentrations were also associated with retarded growth. These findings identified and quantified some critical factors that can guide farmers in improving calf performance on smallholder dairy farms in Tanzania. To improve calf BW, the protein and mineral fraction of the roughage should be increased and water supply should be improved. In conclusion, appropriate changes in milk feeding routines and breeding management would also be expected to improve productivity.

我国奶牛业种养结合模式发展的困境及对策

随着规模化奶牛养殖的发展,大量粪污的产生导致环境污染问题日益严峻。近年来,我国大力支持发展种养结合模式,该模式不仅能降低奶牛业的生产成本,还能推动奶牛业的可持续发展。笔者首先综述了我国奶牛业种养结合模式的发展现状,然后总结了我国奶牛业种养结合模式发展过程中存在的一些问题,即奶牛场土地不足、奶牛场缺乏优质饲草(料)、奶牛场粪污处理技术不成熟、农户参与种养结合模式的积极性不高、有机肥供需缺乏有效衔接、奶牛场与农户之间利益联结不紧密。最后针对上述问题,提出了以下对策建议:完善土地流转机制;提高牧草料的种植技术水平;加大科研投入,提高养殖场粪污处理技术水平;积极发展合作社组织,促进种养一体化发展;加强政府的引导作用,制定种养结合的激励补偿政策。

内蒙古奶业生产组织模式创新与乳品质量安全控制

牛奶分散生产存在诸多安全隐患。本文从饲料安全、饲养设施、饲养管理、疫病防治、奶农和中间商机会主义行为等方面,分析了牛奶分散生产的质量安全风险。以乳品安全为主线,阐述了内蒙古奶业牧场园区集中饲养和业主规模化饲养两种新型组织模式的基本内涵与运行机制,并总结了两种新型组织模式对牛奶生产的质量控制及其利益分配,最后提出从产业发展长期看,牛奶生产向规模化、专业化,标准化发展是生产组织模式演进的一个方向。

论发展农民专业合作社与农产品质量安全问题——以奶业为例

保障奶业质量安全、促进奶农稳定增收是我国奶业发展的两大任务。发展规范的奶农专业合作社是保障奶业质量安全与促进奶农稳定增收的重要手段。但是,当前奶农专业合作社的发展还存在着诸多问题和挑战,需要树立正确的政策引导方向,进一步加大扶持力度,实现奶业健康发展。

基于Logit模型的奶农收入影响因素分析

散户奶农利润降低导致奶农增收困难成为近年来奶业发展的一大问题。本文在对内蒙古呼和浩特市101户奶农调查的基础上,建立Logit模型分析影响奶农收入的因素,结果表明家庭劳动力人数、养殖规模、养殖时间、饲料地面积、饲料成本均对奶农收入有显著性的影响,为此政府在稳定饲料价格的同时,要鼓励奶农提高劳动生产率,合理确定养殖规模等。

养殖小区模式下奶农安全生产行为的影响因素研究——基于对河北、内蒙古两地奶农的调查

养殖小区模式下,奶牛养殖主要由个体奶农分散完成,其生产行为直接关系到生鲜乳的质量安全。基于调研的实证分析发现,奶农生产行为的安全程度与奶农的受教育年限、对检测指标的熟悉程度、政府管理的严格程度及生鲜乳价格水平显著正相关。因此,应通过完善的定价机制、高质量的养殖培训和政对养殖小区的有效管控来提高养殖小区生鲜乳质量安全水平,并适时发展新的养殖模式。

成员异质性合作社的制度安排与合作稳定性:以三家奶农合作社为例

风险分担机制和利益分配机制是成员异质性农民合作社两大重要的制度安排,两者决定了合作社的契约形式,并最终影响合作社的稳定性。以中国三家奶农合作社为例,对合作社风险分担、利益分配与合作社稳定性之间的逻辑关系进行分析。研究发现,社员与合作社组织之间的合作稳定性受到合作社利益分配和风险分担的共同影响;其中,在控制其他条件不变的情况下,合作社承担的风险越多,合作社组织与社员的合作关系越稳定;合作社组织与社员之间合作剩余的分配机制越明晰,社员与合作社保持稳定合作关系的倾向程度也较高。

以奶站为中心的乳品产业相关主体利益博弈分析

近年来,奶站、奶农以及乳品企业之间的利益关系问题受到社会广泛关注。运用博弈论分析奶站与乳品企业、奶站与奶农利益关系,根据模型求解进行相关的结果分析,对奶站、奶农以及乳品企业间协调发展提出了加大政府对各利益主体的监管和扶持力度,提高乳品企业自身的管理检测水平,提高奶站的质量监管力度和基础设施建设,优化现有的合同制度保障奶农利益的对策建议。

论供应链环境下奶牛养殖场户的质量控制行为

供应链环境下奶牛养殖场户质量控制行为对于从源头上保障乳制品质量安全具有重要作用。根据供应链环境下奶牛养殖场户质量控制行为的概念和内涵,重点从投入品、疫病防控、养殖档案、动物福利、设施配置和合作协调等六方面阐述了质量控制行为的内容与作用,针对目前奶牛养殖场户实施质量控制行为的困境,从宣传、教育、扶持和监管等方面提出了促进奶牛养殖场户质量控制行为改善的对策建议。

奶农质量协同控制意愿的影响因素及其递阶结构

基于来自10省份590家奶农的问卷调查数据,综合运用Logit模型和ISM模型实证分析了奶农质量协同控制意愿的影响因素及其递阶结构关系,结果表明:奶农文化程度、养殖规模、原奶质量标准认知、饲料质量标准认知、饲养环境标准认知、稳定销售渠道、提升原奶价格、风险分摊、信息共享、信任程度和政府鼓励支持对奶农质量协同控制意愿有着不同程度的显著影响,其中政府鼓励支持、原奶质量标准认知、饲料质量标准认知、饲养环境标准认知是表层直接因素,稳定销售渠道、提升原奶价格是中层间接因素,奶农文化程度、养殖规模、风险分摊、信息共享、信任程度是深层根源因素。

原料乳交易中奶农利益受损分析

奶农是乳业产业链中最弱势的群体,由于生产成本上升及企业的垄断行为等导致其利益受损。因此,应该从发挥政府部门的支持和监管作用、乳品加工企业履行社会责任、提高奶农养殖水平和组织化程度,以及健全第三方社会化服务体系四个方面维护奶农利益。

奶农竞争力评价指标体系的构建与运用

以内蒙古奶牛养殖模式为例,从构建奶农竞争力评价指标体系目的出发,在前人的研究成果和大量实地调查研究的基础上,构建了体现奶农竞争力的5个要素共27个具体评价指标,并运用该指标体系对散户奶农、奶牛合作社、奶联社3个典型的奶牛养殖模式进行评价分析后,得出的奶农竞争力强弱排序为奶联社、奶牛专业合作社、散户奶农。