| dc.description.abstract | This study evaluated the factors influencing the choice of disease control strategies
and constraints to optimal dairy health management practices in smallholder dairy
production system. The disease control strategies considered were vaccination and
tick control with use of vaccines and acaricides technologies respectively
incorporated to provide the basis for analysis. The study was conducted among
220 smallholder dairy farmers in Kigumo and Maragua divisions of Murang'a
South district. The two divisions (Maragua and Kigumo) were purposively
selected to represent Lower Highland 1 and Upper Midland 2 and 3 agro
ecological zones respectively. The farmers were randomly selected from two sub
locations in each division. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered
through individual interview to the household heads.
Descriptive statistics was used to identify the constraints to optimal dairy health
management practices, socio-economic characteristics of the households and
farmers perceptions towards disease control methods. The results indicated that
cost of veterinary inputs and services were the major constraints to optimal animal
health management practices. The study also showed that farmers were aware
about the importance of disease control strategies which include tick control and
vaccination for improved livestock productivity.
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Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate factors influencing choice of
disease control strategies. The results showed that total livestock units, access to
livestock extension, ownership of television and agro-ecological zone had
significant influence in likelihood of choice of vaccines. With the choice of
acaricides age, education in years, agro-ecological zones, off-farm income, sale of
milk, visit or access to an agro-vet shop and feeding system were significant.
The study revealed that livestock health management choices are highly influenced
by agro-ecological zones. It is therefore important that this variable is taken in
consideration while formulating policies and technical interventions for disease
control. In addition, there is need for relevant stakeholders to strengthen livestock
extension services so as to enhance adoption of disease control technologies. | en |
