Smallholder dairy production in Kenya; a review

摘要

Kenya#8217;s dairy sub sector contributes about 8 of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with an annual milk production of 3.43 billion litres. Kenyan milk production is 3 of the 18 global production by Sub Saharan Africa. Dairy cattle population is estimated at 4.3 million kept under extensive, semi- intensive and intensive systems of production. Dairy cattle in Kenya consist of exotic breeds, crosses between exotic and local breeds and local breeds. Although smallholder Dairy farmers make up to 80 of total dairy producers and produce 56 of total milk in Kenya, they are constrained by low quantity and quality of feeds, lack of reliable statistical information on milk market outlets, poor rural infrastructure, lack of collateral for loans, low technical skills on husbandry practices, reduced access to veterinary and artificial insemination (AI) services. This paper highlights the Kenyan dairy sector, the role played by the smallholder dairy farmers in the dairy industry, the constraints to smallholder milk production and suggestions to the Kenyan government and the relevant stakeholder#8217;s on ways of promoting the smallholder milk productivity.