Influence Of Milk Intermediaries’ Purchasing Strategies On Sustainability Of Small-scale Dairy Farming In Manyatta Constituency, Embu County, Kenya.
Abstract
Small-Scale Dairy Farming (SSDF) experiences market challenges influenced by purchasing
strategies of milk intermediaries. Some of the challenges include low milk prices, inappropriate
information on contract milk marketing, inadequate dairy farming inputs/services. The purpose
of this study was to investigate influence of milk intermediaries’ purchasing strategies on
sustainability of SSDF in Manyatta Constituency, Embu County. The study was informed by
literature review, theoretical framework and empirical studies as secondary data. Descriptive
survey design was used in order to capture subjective views of the respondents. Glenn formular
was used to calculate a sample size of 390 respondents from target population of 16200 smallscale
dairy farmers. Stratefied random sampling was used to get a representative sample size of
130 respondents from each administrative division in the constituency. Purposive Sampling
procedure was used to select 27 secondary respondents to represent 27 milk intermediaries.
Primary data was collected using questionnaires. Collected data was analyzed using descriptive
statistics such as frequency, mean and percentages using Microsoft Excel Computer package.
Data was presented using tables. The study revealed that pricing decisions by milk intermediaries
influenced small-scale dairy farmers negatively; only a few farmers sold milk on contract basis
which were verbal; majority of the small-scale dairy farmers acquired farm inputs and services
from private agro vet shops and private service providers respectively despite the high cost. The
purchasing strategies of milk intermediaries influenced sustainability of SSDF negatively. The
study therefore recommended that the ministry of Livestock should encourage dialogue forums
between small-scale dairy farmers and milk intermediaries when milk pricing decisions are
made. Farmers should be encouraged to sell milk on contractual basis which should be written;
the Ministry of Co-operative development should encourage farmers to form dairy co-operative
societies to help them get dairy farm inputs/services at a fair price and on credit basis. It is hoped
that implementation of these recommendations may help to mitigate micro-dynamic market
challenges encountered by SSDF
Citation
Gatumu Alvan Mugendi.(2013).Influence Of Milk Intermediaries’ Purchasing Strategies On Sustainability Of Small-scale Dairy Farming In Manyatta Constituency, Embu County, Kenya. A Research Report Presented In Partial Fulfilment Of The Requirements For The Award Of Degree Of Master Of Arts In Project Planning And Management Of The University Of Nairobi.Publisher
University of Nairobi, Department of Education Administration & Planning
Collections
- Faculty of Education (FEd) [5964]