| dc.description.abstract | Despite the growth in dairy farming over the years, there is a lot of imbalance in milk
production experienced in different areas based on the approach from different farmers.
Majority of farmers still fail to understand the connection between dairy productivity and
farming practices. Without careful analysis of the patterns of benefits reaped from good
farming practices, we cannot accept at the face value that dairy farming can be both
fulfilling and satisfying. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of dairy
farming practices on milk production in Githunguri Constituency, Kiambu County. The
study sought to establish the extent to which dairy animal nutrition, animal health, animal
hygiene, observance of animal welfare and socio-economic management influences milk
production. The research design adopted in this research was descriptive survey. The target
population of this study included10,136 dairy farmers in Githunguri Constituency. Stratified
proportionate random sampling technique was used to select the sample. From each stratum
the study used simple random sampling to select 384 respondents. A questionnaire with
closed and open ended questions was used to obtain the data from the respondents.
Qualitative data from the open ended questions was analyzed thematically by content
analysis and the findings presented in prose. In order to effectively analyse the primary
quantitative data, descriptive statistics including percentages, frequencies, means and
standard deviation was used. Regression analysis was conducted to show the strength of the
relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Presentation of quantitative
data was done using frequency in tables and graphs. The findings were animal health,
animal nutrition, animal hygiene, animal welfare to a very great extent influenced the level
of milk production and that socio- economic management to a great extent influenced milk
production. The study concluded that animal nutrition is essential to animal health which in
turn influence the level of milk produced, animal health to a very great extent influence the
level of milk production and use of suitable and well maintenance of milking and storage
equipment, milking under hygienic conditions to prevent physical and microbiological
contamination, practicing good milking routines and ensuring high cleanliness standards
when handling the cows were aspects of animal hygiene that influence the level of milk
production. Undergoing training on hygiene milk production and following good milking
techniques also influence milk production. The study recommended that animal nutritionists
or ministry of livestock devise strategies on how to reach the unable farmers who desire to
expand in dairy farming but are frequently faced with problems related to nutrition. Most of
them claim that they don’t use chemical, toxin or prohibited ingredients but with animal
nutritionist’s help this may be false. The farmers should be trained on how to know the
behavior of animals and their reaction to circumstances as most of them lack these skills | en_US |
