SMALLHOLDER DAIRY PRODUCTION AND MARKETING IN WESTERN KENYA: A Review of Literature P. O. Mudavadi, K. Otieno, J. W. Wanambacha, J. O. Odenya, M. Odendo and O. K. Njaro MOARD/KARI/ILRI Smallholder Dairy (Research & Development) Project Funded by British Department for International Development (DFID) August 2001 This Report is circulated prior to full peer review to stimulate discussion and comment. Based on that process, its content may be revised. Please send comments to the authors at Kakamega RRC and to the SD (R&D) Project Manager: ilri-ma@AfricaOnline.co.ke ( ) i ii Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................... 1 1.0 GENERAL INTRODUCTION ........................................................................ 2 1.1 Dairying in Kenya; historical perspective and current status ............... 2 1.2 Description of RRC-Kakamega mandate region .................................... 3 2.0 LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN THE REGION.......................................... 8 2.1 Cattle Production systems, Population and Distribution ....................... 8 2.2 Cattle breeding programmes within the region ..................................... 14 2.2.1 Artificial Insemination .............................................................................. 14 2.2.2 Bull Schemes ........................................................................................... 16 2.2.3 Contract Mating ....................................................................................... 16 2.2.4 Progeny Testing ...................................................................................... 16 2.3 Cattle Diseases ........................................................................................ 17 2.4 Cattle feed resources and utilization ...................................................... 17 2.4.1 Vihiga District ........................................................................................... 18 2.4.2 Kakamega District. .................................................................................. 19 2.4.3 Bungoma District. .................................................................................... 20 2.4.4 Nandi District. ........................................................................................... 21 2.5 Milk production and marketing ................................................................ 22 2.5.1 Vihiga District. .......................................................................................... 23 2.5.2 Bungoma District. .................................................................................... 24 2.5.3 Nandi District. ........................................................................................... 25 2.6 Constraints to dairy cattle production in the region ............................. 27 3.0 LIVESTOCK RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES IN THE REGION ...................................................................................................................... 28 4.0 LIVESTOCK EXTENSION SERVICES WITHIN THE REGION ............ 30 4.1 Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD) .................. 30 4.2 Non-Governmental/International Organizations (NGOs) .................... 30 5.0 REFERENCES.................................................................................................... 31 iii List of Tables Table 1. RRC-Kakamega mandate Agro-ecological Zones (area in sq Km) ..........................4 Table 2. Rainfall and Key Enterprise Systems (KES) in the mandate region ........................4 Table 3: Agro-Ecology of the mandate region; soil types, total land area and agricultural area in ha. ......................................................................................................................6 Table 4: RRC- Kakamega mandate Districts human population figures in ?000. (1999 National census report). ........................................................................................8 Table 5. Government recorded inseminations per scheme (1998). ......................................15 Table 6. Private schemes recorded inseminations (1998). ....................................................15 Table 7. Semen distribution by cattle breed in Bungoma, Vihiga and Kakamega Districts (1998). .................................................................................................................16 Table 8. Fodder production trends in Vihiga District (1992- 1999) .....................................19 Table 9. Fodder and Pasture Production in Kakamega District (1998) ................................20 Table 10. Pastures and Fodder Production per Division in Bungoma District (1998). ........21 Table 11. Comparative pasture and fodder availability in Bungoma District (1992 - 1998).21 Table 12. Pasture and fodder production trends in Nandi District (1996-1998). .................22 Table13. Milk Processing Co-operative Societies in Bungoma District (1998). ..................25 List of Figures Figure1. Cattle population ('000) and distribution by Division in Bungoma District (1998).10 Figure 2. Cattle population ('000) trends in Bungoma district (1993 - 1998). .....................10 Figure 3. Cattle population ('000) trends by type in Nandi district (1992 - 1998). ..............11 Figure 4. Cattle Population ('000) in the Divisions of Kakamega District (1998). .............12 Figure 5: Grade cattle population ('000) trends per Division in Vihiga District (1997-1999)14 Figure 6. Milk production trends in million litres for Vihiga District (1995 - Mid 1999). ..24 Figure 7. Estimated milk production in million litres for each division in Bungoma district (1998). ..................................................................................................................25 Figure 8. Milk production (in million litres) trends for each division in Nandi District. ....26 iv Acronyms and Abbreviations ABS American Breeding Services. AI Artificial Insemination. C.A.I.S Central Artificial Insemination Station. HPI Heifer Project International. ILRI International Livestock Research Institute. KARI Kenya Agricultural Research Institute. KCC Kenya Co-operative Creameries. KDB Kenya Dairy Board. K.N.A.I.S Kenya National Artificial Insemination Services. Lagrotech Lowland Agricultural Technical Services. LBDA Lake Basin Development Authority. LDP Livestock Development Project. LM Lower Midlands agro-ecological zones (1000-1500m above sea level). MoARD Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. NARP II National Agricultural Research Project II. NDCRP National Dairy Cattle Research Programme NGO Non Governmental Organization. UH Upper Highland agro-ecological zone. UM Upper Midlands agro-ecological zones (1500-2000m above sea level). 1 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This literature review report highlights the current status of smallholder dairy production and milk marketing in Western Kenya. It forms the basis and entry point for Smallholder Dairy (R&D) Project activities in Western Kenya in its second phase. A brief history of the dairy industry in Kenya is also presented. The report also highlights cattle production systems, types, population and distribution in RRC-Kakamega mandate region, but focuses more on Nandi, Vihiga, Kakamega and Bungoma Districts of the region identified by the project for implementation of its activities. Current trends in milk production and marketing including pasture and fodder production in those Districts is also discussed. The report also indicates the livestock extension services, research and development programmes within the region. 2 1.0 GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1.1 Dairying in Kenya; historical perspective and current status Kenya has a long tradition in dairy production which was mainly non-commercial milk production from the indigenous cattle (zebu). The commercial dairy industry in Kenya dates back to 1920 when white settlers imported purebred dairy cattle from Europe. The commercial dairy farming developed in two distinct phases. Firstly, large-scale dairying that was on farms operated by Europeans on the Kenyan Highlands and secondly, from the 1950's on African smallholdings. The basis for dairy development in the African smallholder areas was the Swynnerton Plan of 1954 which introduced a number of policy reforms, which included land consolidation and adjudication, cash crop growing, provision of credit and other infrastructural services for dairy development. Since independence, dairying has been transformed into a predominantly smallholder activity in terms of both volume of production and sales. Presently, milk production is integrated with the growing of food crops like maize and beans in a diversified system where the resources of each farming activity are used to benefit the whole system. The National dairy herd is estimated at 3 million grade cattle and about 10 million Zebu cattle. Dairying in the country is concentrated in the Rift Valley Province with 48% of all the exotic dairy cattle followed by Central Province (31%), Nyanza Province (15%), Eastern Province (5%) and Western Province (4%). The total National milk production is estimated at 1.826 billion litres per year of which 60% is from the dairy herd. It is also reported that there are over 400,000 smallholder dairy farmers having an average of 2 cows each with a farm size less than 2 ha and contributing to over 80% of the total milk marketed in Kenya (MoALDM, 1993). Of the 1.826 billion litres of milk produced annually, 893 million litres (49% of the total milk produced or 72% of total milk form dairy breeds) is marketed, the remainder being used for home consumption by farm households. This provides per capita annual consumption levels of 125 million litres (urban) and 19 million litres (rural). Despite the large disparity in per capita consumption between urban and rural populations, the absolute numbers of inhabitants results in an almost equal split in total consumption between sectors (49.9% urban versus 50.1% rural). The government recognizes the role of the dairy industry in the country?s economy. It is a source of income and contributes to the improvement of human nutrition through consumption of milk. Dairying contributes to the beef industry through slaughter of culled cows and steers and is a source of employment. The government?s policy paper on dairy sector development (Sessional paper No. 4 of 1981 and revised in 1993) has the objectives of maintaining self sufficiency in milk production, increase productivity through measures that facilitate access to appropriate technologies and inputs, and to improve processing and marketing through policies that encourage competition, efficiency and self sustaining systems. There has been a lot of changes since 1992 when the Government set in motion steps towards complete liberalization of the dairy industry. This started with the liberalization of the pricing policy of milk and milk products. Then followed the privatization and reduced Government involvement in Animal breeding (recording, semen distribution, herd books, etc.) and Artificial insemination services; input and veterinary drugs supplies; Animal health care and dipping services; de-regulation of the processing and marketing of milk; and the 3 rationalization of the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) which is the body charged with governing the dairy industry. It is within this liberalized context that efforts are being made to revitalize the sector through increased support to smallholder dairy farmers. This document reviews the smallholder dairy production and milk marketing in Western Kenya (RRC-Kakamega mandate) and provides some general recommendations based on the past and present experiences. During the inception phase of the National Dairy Cattle Research Programme, co-funded by the Netherlands and Kenyan Governments under the National Agricultural Research Project II (July -December 1994), constraints to dairy cattle production and milk marketing in the RRC- Kakamega mandate districts by a team of research and extension officers were identified and prioritized. The constraints experienced by smallholder dairy farmers in the areas comprised; 1 Feed related factors (high prices of good quality feeds and lack of feeds for the dry season, lack of reliable water supply); 2 Animal health factors (diseases e.g. tick borne, worm infestation, F.M.D and high calf mortalities); 3 Socio-economic factors (lack of credit facilities, low milk prices, lack of milk storage facilities especially evening milk, poor infrastructure and small farm sizes); 4 Genetic and animal breeding factors (prolonged service/calving intervals, high cost of quality breeding stock and lack of organized animal breeding programmes and services). This project however ended in 1999 before most of these constraints had been properly addressed. It is thus envisaged that the Smallholder Dairy Project will try to address these constraints and hence lead to an efficient and sustainable dairy cattle production and milk marketing system within the region to meet the increasing demand for milk and milk products not only for the region but the country as a whole. 1.2 Description of RRC-Kakamega mandate region Districts under the mandate region The Regional Research Centre - Kakamega has a research mandate in eleven districts which include Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia , Bondo, Butere/Mumias, Lugari, Mt. Elgon, Nandi, Siaya, Teso and Vihiga. The total area under the mandate is 9,810 square kilometres. The agro - ecological zones over the region range from Upper Highland zone one (UH1) to Lower Midland zone four (LM4). The largest part of the area is in the lower midlands zones (Table 1). 4 Table 1. RRC-Kakamega mandate Agro-ecological Zones (area in sq Km) District UH1 LH1-2 UM1 UM2-3 UM4 LM1-2 LM3-4 TOTAL sq km Bungoma - - 87 475 224 621 282 1689 Teso - - - - - 346 105 451 Nandi 37 994 314 150 267 164 - 1926 Mt. Elgon - 187 93 17 - 1 - 298 Vihiga - - 368 - - 40 - 408 Bondo - - - - - 10 766 776 Siaya - - - - - 945 288 1233 Busia - - - - - 581 317 898 Butere/Mumias - - - - - 741 - 741 Lugari - - - - 474 - - 474 Kakamega - 5 177 37 109 569 19 916 TOTAL 37 1186 1039 679 1074 4018 1777 9810 The farm sizes vary across the agro-ecological zones. In the lower midland zones the farm sizes are small averaging 2 ha per household. The smallest farm sizes, however, are found in the upper midland zone (UM1) of Vihiga and Kakamega Districts while the average farm sizes per household are large in Nandi and Mt. Elgon Districts, and also in the settlement areas of Lugari and Tongaren (UM3-4). Table 2. Rainfall and Key Enterprise Systems (KES) in the mandate region District Rainfall (mm/year) Key Enterprise System (KES) Nandi 1200-2000 Maize, Beans, Dairy Kakamega 1800-2400 Maize, Beans, Dairy Butere/Mumias 1700 Dairy, Sugar cane Lugari 1400 Maize, Dairy, Beans Vihiga 1600-2000 Maize, Dairy, Cassava, Beans Busia 1200-1700 Ground nuts, Finger millet, Cassava, Sweet potato Teso 1200-1600 Tobacco, Cotton Bungoma 1600 Sugar cane, Maize, Beans, Dairy Mt. Elgon 1600-2400 Highland climate favours temperate crops, Dairy Bondo 900-1200 Cotton Siaya 1200-1800 Cotton, Finger millet, Cassava Various production systems exist over the mandate region (Table 2). In the LM1 - LM3 zones, mainly in Nandi District, dairying is the major enterprise and is also the main source of income. Dairy is kept in the extensive system, where most animals are grazed both on natural or planted pastures and legumes. Most pastures are paddocked and there is an element of fodder production. In Mumias and Butere Divisions of Butere/Mumias District and Lurambi, Kabras and Navakholo Dvisions of Kakamega district and Nalondo Division of Bungoma district, LM1-2 is the main sugarcane zone. Sugar cane is the main enterprise and cash earner in those areas. Tea is the major cash crop in UH1 and LH2 zones. The main crop enterprises in zones LH1-2 and UM1-4 are maize, beans, sweet potatoes and horticultural crops. In the UM1 - UM3 of Kakamega, Vihiga and Bungoma Districts, maize (usually inter-cropped with beans) and dairy are the two major enterprises. The cattle are grazed or tethered in paddocks of either natural or planted pastures and forage legumes. Other crop enterprises include 5 sunflower, tea, coffee, sweet potatoes, bananas and horticultural crops. Dairy under zero - grazing is over the years becoming popular in these Districts. The lower midland zones 3 and 4 are the areas that do not have any cash crop. Rainfall is low and the crop and livestock productivity are also low. The enterprises are maize, beans, cassava, sorghum, finger millet, groundnuts, sweet potatoes, green grams, Soya beans, a wide variety of exotic and local and indigenous vegetables and fruits. The cattle kept are local zebus that are poorly fed and managed. 6 Table 3: Agro-Ecology of the mandate region; soil types, total land area and agricultural area in ha. District Total land area (ha) Elev (m asl) Slope % % of total AEZ % of Total Soil % of Total Total Agric. (ha) Agricultural area (Ha) Rainfed Irrigated Irrigated potential Nandi 274,500 1500- 3000 0-8 8-25 25-35 32 15 15 LH 1-3 LM 1-4 UH 1 UM 1-4 52 8 2 38 Nitrosols Lixisols Cambisols Ferralsols 37 19 14 12 192,600 192,600 Kakamega 107,000 1000- 2000 0-8 8-25 94 6 LM 1-2 Um 1-3 62 38 Acrisols Cambisols 45 40 55,800 78,838 1,810 11,852 Butere/ Mumias 91,200 1000- 1500 0-8 8-25 99 1 LM 1 100 Acrisols Luvisols Gleysols 48 18 13 74,100 74,100 Lugari/ Malara 98,600 1500- 2500 0-8 8-25 81 19 LM 2-3 UM 1 26 74 Ferralsols Acrisols Lixisols 32 28 9 84,100 84,100 Vihiga 52,200 1500- 2500 0-8 8-25 56 44 LM 1-2 UM 1 10 90 Cambisols Acrisols Cambisols 45 40 9 40,800 40,800 Busia 111,900 1000- 1500 0-8 8-25 92 8 LM 1-4 100 Ferralsuls Gleysols Acrisols Cambisols 26 24 20 18 89,800 84,031 600 5,169 Teso 50,700 100-1500 0-8 8-25 97 3 LM 1-3 100 Acrisols Gleysols 49 42 47,515 45,100 150 2,424 Bungoma 211,000 1500- 2500 0-8 8-25 25-35 98 2 <1 LM2-3 UM2 59 41 Acrisols Gleysols Luvisols Ferralsols Cambisols 38 20 17 13 10 134,500 169,400 4,787 10,292 Mt. Elgon 96,400 1500- 4000 0-8 8-25 25-35 14 75 11 LH1-2 LM2 TA1-2 UH0-1 UM1-2 23 2 18 36 21 Nitrisols Cambisols Leptosols 67 17 10 96,600 95,421 53 126 Bondo 107,655 1000- 1500 0-8 8-25 97 3 LM2-5 100 Acrisols Cambisols Fluvisols Vertisols 46 14 13 12 107,655 Siaya 151,183 1000- 1500 0-8 8-25 97 3 LM1-4 UM1 99 1 Gleysols Cambisols Acrisols 31 28 29 151,183 132,467 3,176 14,540 7 There is heavy reliance on family labour to carry out farm activities on smallholder farms in the region. It is evident in recent years that a large share of livestock activities is carried out by women, and this is mainly attributed to three factors. Firstly, animal care traditionally was an important male activity, however in recent years, men have increasingly directed their labour towards off-farm wage earning opportunities, leaving women responsible for much of the farm work. Secondly, with the advent of compulsory education, children are now available to help with the care of livestock only in the afternoon, or weekends, and during holidays. Thirdly, the intensification process itself which focuses labour on food crop production and the provision of cut and carry system of feeds to animals in zero or semi - zero grazing systems has brought livestock care more closely into the sphere of women responsibility. The concern should thus be to develop a strong extension programme that would offer training geared to improving smallholder women skills in the feeding and management of dairy cattle. Land use dynamics The land tenure system is free hold, with owners having title deeds. There are though few and isolated cases of communal and urban/peri-urban land tenure systems. However, land is continuously being sub divided into uneconomical units by families as grown up sons seek ownership rights. The region has high potential for both crop and livestock production, though, the productivity is low largely due to low use of inputs and extensive cropping leading to over exhausting the soils. Most farmers in RRC-Kakamega mandate region practice mixed farming with both crops and livestock farming being practiced. Maize is the staple food crop in the region and is grown for both subsistence and commercial purposes. Other food crops include finger millet, sorghum, cassava, rice and sweet potatoes. Horticultural crops like bananas, kales, French beans, onions and tomatoes are also grown. The cash crops in order of importance include sugar cane, tea, coffee, tobacco, sunflower and cotton. Groundnuts and simsim are also grown but on small scale. Livestock especially cattle, poultry, sheep and goats are kept in the region. Others include pigs, donkeys and rabbits. The acreage under pastures in the region is low as most of it is under cash and food crop production, and this has greatly hindered the growth of the livestock industry. The RRC- Kakamega mandate region has a multi ethnic human population (Table 4). The main inhabitants of Nandi District are the Nandis (A Kalenjin extraction) and a few Luhyas mostly of Maragoli origin, who migrated to the area. Vihiga District is largely inhabited by Luhyas (A Bantu extraction), mostly Maragoli, Banyore and Tiriki sub tribes while Lugari District and parts of Bungoma District (Tongarren Division) is multi ethnic comprising Luhyas, Kalenjins and Kikuyus who migrated and settled in the area after independence. 8 Table 4: RRC- Kakamega mandate Districts human population figures in ?000. (1999 National census report). Districts Males Females Total Bondo 112 135 247 Bungoma 426 452 878 Butere/Mumias 227 251 478 Busia 174 197 371 Kakamega 290 315 605 Lugari 106 111 217 Mt. Elgon 62 68 130 Nandi 291 291 582 Teso 82 89 171 Vihiga 233 266 499 Siaya 220 260 480 Total 2223 2435 4658 Mt. Elgon District is largely inhabited by Saboats (A Kalenjin Extraction) and few Bukusus, a Luhya sub tribe while Bukusu and Tachoni Luhya sub tribes inhabits Bungoma District. Luos inhabit Siaya, Bondo and parts of Busia Districts. Isukha, Idhako, Batsotso, Banyala, Kabras, Wanga, Kisa, Marama, Marachi and Wakhayo Luhya sub tribes inhabit parts of Kakamega, Butere/Mumias and Busia districts and Atessos occupy Teso district. (JAETZOLD and SCHMIDT 1982). These ethnic diversities have a bearing on the development and adoption of the dairy cattle production technologies in the region. 2.0 LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN THE REGION 2.1 Cattle Production systems, Population and Distribution RRC-Kakamega mandate area has about 2 million cattle of which 80% are local zebus and 20% improved. Siaya District has the highest number in total cattle followed by Nandi, Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia and lastly Vihiga. This distribution is related to land pressure as a result of human population increases, feed supply and husbandry methods. The high numbers of zebu cattle in the region is also associated with the socio-cultural practices (dowry payment and prestige), including their ability to resist diseases especially tick borne, where the number of cattle per household is more valuable than the quantity and quality of the product (milk). The cattle production systems in RRC-Kakamega mandate area can be classified broadly as Small scale dairy production system; Small scale dairy/meat production system; Small scale dairy/meat/traction production system; and Large scale dairy production system. Within these production systems, there are three different breeds of cattle namely; Pure breeds (graded cattle), cross breeds and local zebu cattle. These cattle are reared under free grazing/tethering, semi-zero grazing or zero grazing systems and depend on natural pastures/forage, fodder crops and agricultural by-products as their main feed source. 9 These production systems are distributed across the different agro-ecological zones. Large- scale dairy production is practiced in agro-ecological zone LH1-3, whereas small-scale dairy production is confined to agro-ecological zones LH2-3 and UM1-4. Small scale or large scale dairy farmers are not found in agro-ecological zone LM1-4 which covers 61% of the total mandate area, whereas small scale dairy/meat and dairy/meat/traction production systems are found across all the agro-ecological zones. Local zebus are found in all agro-ecological zones within the region except in agro-ecological zone LH1-3. Graded cattle and crosses are largely confined to agro-ecological zone LH1-3 that covers 12% of the total mandate area and agro-ecological zone UM1-4 that covers 11% of the total mandate area. Agro-ecological zone LM1-4 that covers 61% of the total mandate area does not have improved cattle (pure breeds and crosses). This therefore means that 77% of the total mandate area comprises small- scale farmers who keep local zebu cattle and low value crosses across agro-ecological zones UM1-4 and LM1-4. Graded (improved) cattle are mainly found in Nandi District followed by Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga, Siaya and lastly Busia. It is also observed that the density of improved cattle in these Districts is 7 animals per km2 except in Nandi where the density is 115 animals per km2. This greatly contrasts with densities reported in other Districts across the country such as: Trans Nzoia, 44 animals per km2 (76% of the total District herd); Uasin Gishu, 86 animals per km2 (93% of the total District herd); Kiambu, 61 animals per km2 (87% of the total District herd); Kirinyaga, 45 animals per km2 (73% of the total District herd); Murang?a, 73 animals per km2 (95% of the total District herd); and Nyandarua 81 animals per km2 (96% of the total District herd). It may be necessary at this stage to give some detailed assessment of the situation in some of the Districts under RRC-Kakamega mandate area with high populations of cattle. Bungoma District Bungoma borders Mt. Elgon District to the Northwest, Trans Nzoia district to the North, Kakamega District to the East and Southeast, Busia and Teso Districts to the West and Southwest and the Republic of Uganda to the Northwest at Lwakhakha border point. The District lies between latitude 00 25.3? North and 00 53.2? North and longitude 340 21.4? East and 350 04? East and covers a total land area of 1689 square kilometres, about 25% of the total area of the province, out of which 1438 square kilometres is arable land and 1,175 square kilometres is under cultivation. Administratively the district is divided into nine Divisions (Nalondo or Central Division, Kanduyi, Chwele, Bumula, Sirisia, Kimilili, Ndivisi, Webuye and Tongaren), 42 Locations and 105 Sub Locations. Tongaren Division of the District has the highest population of grade cattle with more or less the same population of zebu cattle, though the other Divisions have low and almost comparable populations of grade cattle. This is because of the settlement scheme that had an early start on dairy activities in the Division pre and post independence. Kanduyi, Bumula and Sirisia Divisions have the highest population of zebu cattle as compared to the other divisions (fig. 1) as a result of the socio-cultural roles (dowry payments, prestige, sales for income) these cattle play in the livelihoods of the local communities and the animals? resistance to diseases. The cattle population in the District has been fairly constant over the years with population of zebu cattle being very high as compared to that of grade cattle and crosses being very high (fig. 2). The populations of both grade and zebu are extremely low in 10 Nalondo, Kimilili and Chwele and this is mainly attributed to sugarcane and tobacco, major cash crops and farm income earners in those Divisions Figure1. Cattle population ('000) and distribution by Division in Bungoma District (1998). Source: MoARD Bungoma District Annual report (1998). Figure 2. Cattle population ('000) trends in Bungoma district (1993 - 1998). Source: MoARD Bungoma District Annual reports (1993-1998) 11 Nandi District Nandi district is one of the districts in the Rift valley province and falls within RRC- Kakamega regional mandate. Uasin gishu District to the North and East, Vihiga, Kakamega and Lugari Districts to the West and Kericho and Kisumu Districts to the South border the district. It falls in the high potential region with a surface area of 1926 square kilometres of which 1401 sq. Km. is arable land. Forests, rocks, water and swamps cover the rest of the land. It has an average land size of about 7 acres per household (District Development Plan, 1997-2001). Administratively the District is divided into nine divisions (Kapsabet, Kilibwoni, Nandi hiils, Aldai, Kaptumo, Kosirai, Kabiyet, Kipkarren and Tindiret), 91 Locations and 283 Sub Locations. The District is predominantly dairying with farmers keeping pure breed dairy cattle and high grade crosses with tea as the main cash crop. Zebu cattle are, however, still kept in the lower parts of the District neighboring Kisumu District, where sugar cane as a cash crop is grown. Cattle management in the District is mostly by grazing and semi-zero grazing with zero grazing on few farms. Development in the dairy industry in Nandi District unlike in the other Districts within the region could be attributed to the presence of Kenya co-operative creameries and other well organized milk processing and marketing societies. The proportion of high milk producing grade cattle is also high with the numbers of zebu cattle steadily reducing over the years (fig.3). There was, however, a drop in the grade cattle population in 1998 and in the exotic crosses between 1997 and 1998 and this was as a result of the prolonged dry season experienced between those years. Kilibwoni and Kabiyet Divisions of the District have the highest numbers of grade cattle and crosses with a few zebu cattle. Figure 3. Cattle population ('000) trends by type in Nandi district (1992 - 1998). Source: MoARD Nandi District Annual reports (1992-1998). 12 Kakamega District Kakamega District borders Vihiga District to the South, Nandi and Uasin gishu Districts to the East, Trans nzoia and Lugari Districts to the North and Bungoma, Busia, Butere/Mumias and Siaya Districts to the West. The District lies between longitudes 340 20? and 350Eand latitudes 00 15? and 10N of the equator. Administratively, it is divided into seven (7) Divisions, namely; Municipality, Ikolomani, Lurambi, Navakholo, Ileho, Shinyalu and Kabras; 23 Locations and 82 Sub-locations. The District covers a total land area of 916 square kilometres of which 879 sq. Km. is arable land and 37 sq. Km. is covered by Kakamega Forest. The District has about 100,760 farm families with an average family size of 8 persons per household and a mean farm size of 0.8 hectares (1.5 acres). The total cattle population in the District is estimated at 144,275 (District Annual report, 1998). Out of this, less than 20% are dairy cattle. The population of dairy cattle has however been on the increase in all the Divisions within the District since 1996 except in Shinyalu division, where the population dropped from 1,010 in 1996 to 452 in 1998, because of an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease. The population of zebu cattle during the same period has also been on the increase, with considerable increases in Ikolomani and Lurambi Divisions. It is only in the Municipality Division where there has been a big drop in the zebu cattle population from 5,766 in 1996 to 3,201 in 1998. This is primarily because of the pressure on land for urban settlement as a result of human population increase, hence cattle especially high value (grade) are reared under intensive cattle production systems; zero grazing and semi-zero grazing in few isolated cases. Kabras Division leads in the number of cattle, both graded and zebu and is followed by Lurambi, Ikolomani and Navakholo Divisions respectively. Figure 4. Cattle Population ('000) in the Divisions of Kakamega District (1998). 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 N a v a k h o lo L u r a m b i I k o loman i S h in y a lu I k e h o K a b r a s M u n ic ip . D i v i s i ons C a t t le N um be r s ' 0 0 0 . Gr a d e C a t t le Ze b u C a t t le Source: MoARD Kakamega District Annual report (1998). 13 Vihiga District Vihiga District was curved out of Kakamega District in 1991 and now forms one of the eight Districts in Western Province. It borders Kakamega District to the North, Nandi District to the East, Kisumu District to the South and Siaya District to the South West. The District lies between longitude 340 30? East and 350 0? East and between longitude 00 and 00 15? North. The Equator cuts across the southern tip of the District. The District is 33 km wide from East to West and 19 km from North to South and occupies a total land area of 408 sq. km (District Development Plan, 1997-2001). The District has about 75,000 farm families, with an average population density of 1050 persons per sq. km. The average family size is 8 persons per household with a mean farm size of 0.6ha (1.2 acres) (1989 Population Census Report). Administratively, the District is divided into six Divisions namely; Emuhaya, Luanda, Sabatia, Tiriki East, Tiriki West and Vihiga, that are further sub-divided into 27 Locations and 115 sub locations. Due to lack of good quality feeds for exotic dairy cattle and their crosses and small size of land holdings, most farmers in the District still prefer to keep the local stock. There is however a shift towards intensive cattle production systems. Ministry of Agriculture Rural Development reports from Vihiga District MoARD Annual Reports 1997-1999) shows that the cattle population in the district rose from a total of 135,350 in 1997 to 146,492 in 1998, representing an increase of about 8% (Appendix 1). By 1999, there was however a drop of 9% in the cattle population to a total of 133,109, the drop being mainly in the total population of Zebu cattle compared to the Grade cattle (Appendix 1). The major drop occurred in Sabatia division. Implying that there has been a departure from keeping indigenous breeds of cattle by some farmers in the District mainly due to the limited land space and the realization of benefits of keeping high value stock. There is no land in the District for communal grazing and the zebu cattle kept are restricted to owner?s plots. Figure 5 shows a steady increase in the population of grade cattle in Emuhaya and Vihiga Divisions between 1997 and mid 1999. The population of grade cattle as a proportion of the total cattle numbers has however fluctuated during the same period in the other Divisions of the District. The numbers of grade cattle in Sabatia Division increased more by 1999 compared to the other Divisions, probably due to the increase in dairy development projects 14 Figure 5: Grade cattle population ('000) trends per Division in Vihiga District (1997- 1999) Source: MoARD Vihiga District Annual Reports (1997-1999). 2.2 Cattle breeding programmes within the region The main breeding systems are by natural service either using improved bulls introduced by various cattle development projects or the bulls and Artificial Insemination. 2.2.1 Artificial Insemination This is very popular with farmers in the region and the service is being rendered by both the government and private groups. Artificial insemination services in the region have, however, not fared well because farmers opt to use natural service due to costs involved. The farmers find AI services expensive at the range of KSH 300 to 2000 depending on the quality and source of the semen and transport charges. Natural service dominates using locally owned bulls and bull schemes set up by the Livestock development project (LDP), Heifer Project International (HPI) and a few other Non governmental organizations (NGO) projects. Their impact for improving the dairy genotype is, however, so far low. The tables 5 and 6 below show the recorded inseminations for each scheme as offered by both the government and private groups in Vihiga, Bungoma, Nandi and Kakamega Districts, while table 7 shows semen distribution by cattle breeds in the same Districts. 15 Table 5. Government recorded inseminations per scheme (1998). Station Grade Cattle Zebu Cattle Total Grand Total First service Repea t First Service Repeat First Service Repeat Kakamega 556 280 44 08 600 288 888 Bungoma 583 260 103 13 686 273 959 Vihiga 682 138 116 34 788 174 963 Nandi 498 144 - - 498 144 642 Total 2319 822 263 55 2572 879 3451 Source: Western Province. AI report, 1998. Table 6. Private schemes recorded inseminations (1998). Scheme (District) Grade Cattle Zebu Cattle Total 1st Service Repeat 1st Service Repeat MOCO (Kakamega) 938 258 136 48 1380 KARI (Kakamega) 18 8 nil nil 26 Esabalu (Vihiga) 179 20 14 - 213 Lessos FCS (Nandi) 529 103 - - 632 Kamno FCS (Nandi) 347 101 - - 448 Tambache Malugei (Nandi) 69 1 - - 70 Kopoch Farm 27 1 - - 28 Total 2107 498 150 48 2849 Source: Western Province. AI report, 1998. Note: Private artificial insemination services recorded for Nandi District excludes those offered by the University of Eastern Africa (Baraton), Kibabet Tea Estate and the American Breeding Services (ABS) based in Sabatia Division of Vihiga District. 16 Table 7. Semen distribution by cattle breed in Bungoma, Vihiga and Kakamega Districts (1998). Station Ayrshire Friesian Guernsey Jersey Boran Sahiwal Brown Swiss Total Vihiga 641 493 635 507 nil nil nil 2270 Bungoma 409 399 283 175 nil 7 nil 1339 Kakameg a 357 206 269 56 nil nil nil 888 Nandi 275 250 76 41 nil nil nil 642 Total 1682 1348 989 779 nil 7 nil 5239 Source: Western Province. AI report, 1998. However, a number of problems hinder proper delivery and expansion of artificial insemination services in the region and these include; a) Lack of proper transport modes and poor road networks limiting accessibility to farmers on time after heat detection. b) Lack of A.I containers i.e. they are not readily available in the market and the ones which are there are expensive hence not easily affordable. c) Acquisition of A.I resources (semen) from C.A.I.S in Nairobi i.e. it is difficult to get these resources from there due to the distance and this increases the insemination costs rendering it unaffordable to most farmers. d) Insufficient knowledge on management of fertility of dairy cows by the farmers. e) Few technically competent inseminators employed by the groups. 2.2.2 Bull Schemes There are quite a number of bull schemes established by the government through Livestock Development Project in Bungoma, Vihiga and Kakamega Districts to help improve the genetic potential of animals for increased milk production. In addition there are also privately owned bulls for the same. 2.2.3 Contract Mating Mukumu farm in Kakamega District has Guernsey animals and operates a contract-mating scheme with semen imported from the United States of America (U.S.A) through the Central Artificial Insemination Station (C.A.I.S) in Nairobi. The imported semen is used for contract mating dams selected by the bull purchasing committee on the farm. The farm was established in 1927 by the Catholic Church and sells Guernsey animals to farmers in the region. 2.2.4 Progeny Testing Bukura Farmers Training Centre and Bukura Agricultural College in Kakamega District and Mabanga Farmers Training Centre in Bungoma District carry this out on Aryshire breed of cattle, though on small scale. 17 2.3 Cattle Diseases Cattle Diseases and pests have been identified as a major constraint to increased cattle productivity in the region (NARPII inception report, 1995). To realize optimum productive and reproductive performance from these cattle, it is vital to enhance efforts on disease control and pest management. Currently, the region is characterized by poor disease control strategies resulting into high morbidity and mortality of both the young and adult stock (District Annual reports, 1998). This is largely due to the high cost of veterinary drugs and deterioration in the quality of animal health care delivery systems in the region over the years. The most prevalent cattle diseases in Bungoma, Kakamega, Nandi and Vihiga Districts include: a) Tick Borne Diseases - East Coast Fever (ECF), Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Heart water and Black Quarter. b) Worm infestations. c) Nutritional and Metabolic disorders - Milk fever, Bloat and Avitaminoses. d) Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD). e) Mastitis. f) Respiratory Disease ie Pneumonia, especially in young stock. g) Helminthiasis - both worm and liver fluke infestation. h) Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). Most communal cattle dips are non operational after the government withdrew their funding and left them to community initiative and management. Also high costs of accaricides has rendered them unaffordable by most small scale rural farmers in these areas. There are also no strategic and pre-determined vaccination campaigns against the various notifiable cattle diseases. It is therefore necessary to adopt an integrated approach (making optimal use of all the available control methods in a flexible way adopted to the local circumstances and to economic reality) in the management of these cattle diseases and pests. Also integration of locally available materials and technology (Indigenous Technical Knowledge) in control and treatment of these diseases is bound to reduce the costs and enhance sustainability. 2.4 Cattle feed resources and utilization Dairy farming in RRC-Kakamega mandate region is mostly practiced under rain-fed conditions. The uneven rainfall distribution pattern across the agro-ecological zones influences the availability and quality of forages. Severe feed shortage in the region is experienced during the dry seasons between the months of December and February and during this time there is increased concentrates (bran, dairy meal, local brewers waste, molasses and spoilt maize) and crop by products (Stover, banana pseudo stems, sugar cane tops, sweet potato vines, bean hauls etc) usage. However during the wet seasons dairy cows are constrained by low intake owing to the high moisture content of grass based diets even though total available dry matter may be adequate in nutritional value. Smallholder dairy farmers in the region rarely practice any form of feed (pasture and fodder) conservation during this time when there are plenty of forages. 18 Dairy producers in high rainfall areas of the region depend almost entirely on Napier grass as the feed resource during the wet season and on crop residues during the dry season. Little commercial concentrates are used due to the high cost and in, some areas their unavailability. Technology to introduce forage legumes to improve quality and utilization of these grasses has not been adequately disseminated in most areas. Currently, the pressure on land is increasing due to sub divisions and hence the feed resource production will need to be intensified to sustain dairying. Certain areas are characterized by frequent night frosts, especially during the cold months, others are water logged in rainy seasons, whilst other areas have low and erratic rainfall with frequent droughts. Adopted forages of high productivity need to be developed for these specific ecological niches. Systems of utilization to maximize nutrient intake by dairy cows from these feed resources are equally lacking. It is therefore necessary to adopt technologies that could be used to improve on the feed quality and increase herbage production per unit land for the dairy enterprise. Ideally, the concept should be to provide adequate nutrition to the dairy cow, without a net reduction in food and/or cash crop production. 2.4.1 Vihiga District The District is characterized by ever diminishing land sizes per household as a result of rapid human population increase and this remains a major constraint to cattle production. The forage resource base of the District continues to decline as the available land is put under crop production, both cash (i.e. tea, coffee) and food crops (i.e. maize, beans) and this limits the expansion of the dairy herd. There is minimal acreage of land under natural pastures (improved and unimproved) and in most cases animals will be found tethered or grazing along road reserves. There have been fluctuations in the acreage of land under Napier grass over the years since 1992 (table 8). There is also quite a sizeable proportion of land under sweet potatoes, and this form a supplementary feed resource for the animals especially during the dry season between the months of December and February. There is thus a need to emphasize to farmers on the need for forage conservation to be fed to the animals during the dry season, and also on appropriate techniques of increasing herbage production per unit area of land without a net reduction in food and/or cash crop production. 19 Table 8. Fodder production trends in Vihiga District (1992- 1999) Year Napier (Acres) Fodder trees (No. of stems) Desmodium (Acres) Sweet potatoes (Acres) 1992 2,431.4 17,726 5.5 1993 2,561 26,725 17.3 1994 2,897 46,996 20.5 1995 3,031 77,850 23.7 1996 3,159.8 64,030 23.0 1997 3,938 89,554 22.9 1998 2,630 107,900 11.5 Mid 1999 2,920.5 150,600 19.5 187 Source: MoARD. Vihiga District Annual Reports, 1992 - 1999. 2.4.2 Kakamega District. The District like Vihiga District is also characterized by diminishing land sizes over the years due to increasing human population hence putting pressure on the available land. There is very little land under pastures and fodder production in Kakamega District as much of it has been placed under cash and food crop production. However, Kabras Division of the District has a large proportion of land under natural pastures and fodder (table 9), and this explains why there is a high cattle population in the Division as compared to the other Divisions of the District. Forage conservation has also not been reported in the District and the need for this also has to be emphasized to the farmers. 20 Table 9. Fodder and Pasture Production in Kakamega District (1998) Division Napier grass (acres) Desmodium Sweet potato vines Fodder trees (stems) Improved pastures (ha) Natural pastures (ha) Ileho 186 - - 4,500 25 464 Navakholo 176 - - 2,500 - 1340 Shinyalu 235 - - 900 40 370 Kabras 141 0.75 20 895 - 12,724 Lurambi 252 - 25 1,300 4.5 359.5 Municipality 270 - - - 4 104 Ikolomani 309 - - 3,000 Total 1,569 0.75 45 13,155 109.5 15,397.5 Source: MoARD. Kakamega District Annual report, 1998. 2.4.3 Bungoma District. Bungoma District has relatively large farm sizes per household and hence a large proportion of the land is still under natural pastures. However, there is a move towards intensive or semi- intensive livestock management. This necessitates supplementation with improved pastures, fodder legume trees and grasses and also silage and hay. Some farmers in several Divisions of the District and especially in Webuye and Tongaren conserve excess forage in the form of hay and silage to be fed to the animals during times of forage scarcity (table 10), though there are some divisions of the District like Chwele, Kimilili and Sirisia where forage conservation has not been reported. Tongaren and Kanduyi divisions of the District have the highest acreage of land under pastures and fodder production as compared to the other division with Webuye having the least (table 3). It is also because of this that the two Divisions also lead in milk production in the District. Comparatively, the District has witnessed fluctuations in the availability of natural pastures over the years since 1992, though the acreage under improved pastures and fodder including fodder trees has been increasing steadily since 1992 (Table 11). 21 Table 10. Pastures and Fodder Production per Division in Bungoma District (1998). Division Natural Pastures (Ha) Improved Pastures (Ha) Improved Fodder - Napier (Ha) Fodder Trees (Stems) Chwele 1,500 15 54.40 3,250 Kimilili 5,090 9.5 115.00 7,120 Tongaren 10,227 270 395.50 4,346 Nalondo 2,142 73 105.00 3,480 Sirisia 4,000 90 94.40 4,400 Webuye 844 35 228.00 2,090 Bumula 6,930 250 402.00 4,509 Ndivisi 1,960 6.0 71.28 3,560 Kanduyi 8,020 320 348.00 5,810 Total 34,473 1070 1813.58 38,565 Source: MoARD. Bungoma District Annual Report, 1998. Table 11. Comparative pasture and fodder availability in Bungoma District (1992 - 1998). Year Natural pastures (ha) Improved pastures (ha) Napier grass (ha) Fodder trees (stems) 1992 42,175 700 450 17,195 1993 43,370 852 680 21,000 1994 37,250 732 710 14,920 1995 37,300 792 899 20,520 1996 49,960 688 991 29,115 1997 48,320 722 1,323 32,100 1998 40,713 1,100 1,800 38,562 Source: MoARD. Bungoma District Annual Reports, 1992 - 1998. 2.4.4 Nandi District. Natural pastures occupy a large acreage of land in Nandi District, and this coupled with the fact that land sizes per household are also relatively large explains why cattle management is mostly extensive grazing. There are also improved pastures in the District composed of a mixture of Rhodes grass and Nandi setaria grass and this supplements the natural pastures for grazing. Land acreage under Napier grass in the District has also been fairly constant over the years since 1996. Fodder legume trees and grasses, sweet potato vines, sunflower and oats, 22 even though on a marginal scale, are also grown by the farmers in the District for supplementation to cattle. There is no evidence of forage conservation in the District, therefore, training of farmers on forage conservation in times of plenty to be fed to animals during times of pasture scarcity, and on ways of improving the quality and quantity of these pastures without necessarily increasing land acreage under them is essential for better livestock nutritional management. Table 12. Pasture and fodder production trends in Nandi District (1996-1998). Pasture/Fodder Type 1996 (ha) 1997 (ha) 1998 (ha) Napier grass 1332 1340 1336 Sweet potato vines 20.01 29.03 74 Mixture of Rhodes and Nandi setaria grasses 701.5 652 686 Pure stand Rhodes grass - - - Natural pastures 111,140 103,172 106,543 Fodder trees (Sesbania and Leucaena) 14 3.8 Lucerne/Desmodium 14.4 15.7 8 Sunflower - - 6 Oats - - 12 Source: MoARD. Annual Reports: 1996 - 1998. 2.5 Milk production and marketing Milk remains the major source of nutrition in terms of animal protein supply to many households in Western Kenya and the country as a whole (MoARD, 1996). Inappropriate animal management and nutrition at the smallholder farm level limits increased milk production and supply from the dairy industry. Lack of proper milk handling, storage/cooling, processing and marketing channels/facilities worsens the situation. The increased demand for milk and milk products prompts a need for action towards increased dairy production through the use of high-grade cattle and exotic crosses. Nandi and Uasin Gishu Districts in the Rift Valley Province remains the major suppliers of milk to most Districts in the Western Kenya and Nyanza regions of the country due to frequent shortages of milk in these areas. Milk marketing in Western Kenya is mainly informal through hawking, milk bars, etc with liberalization of milk marketing in 1992 and the lifting of urban milk market monopoly previously enjoyed by the Kenya Co-operative Creameries (KCC). There are a few dairy farmers co-operative societies that still exist in the region to market members milk, after most collapsed or are on the verge of collapse. Other milk market outlets available for farmers in some areas within the region include private processors such as Kitinda, Nasyanda and Magharibi dairies in Bungoma District and Kaptumo, Kaigat, Kamnon and Lessos co- operative societies in Nandi District. They source milk from farmers for processing and 23 marketing. KCC is still operational in areas like Nandi where there are two cooling plants in Kapsabet and Lessos. Formal milk marketing channels like co-operative societies and processing agencies are less developed in the region as a result of managerial problems with most being un-operational or operating under capacity. This results into a lot of milk spoilages and exploitation of small- scale milk producers by middlemen. The milk disposal outlets include household consumers, institutions, hotels and restaurants with the price ranging between Kshs 25 to 30 per litre depending on seasonal fluctuations in milk supply. Quality control measures undertaken by the Dairy farmers co-operative societies prior to milk intake include use of a lactometer and match test in some cases. The main constraints that have been cited to hinder the progress of these co-operative societies include managerial problems and competition from informal milk market agents. 2.5.1 Vihiga District. Low acceptability of improved cattle breeds and AI services by smallholder farmers due to costs involved in various parts of the District has tended to lower the production of milk. Some farmers, for instance, have continued to keep zebu cattle as opposed to the improved dairy cows. This is largely attributed to the socio-cultural attachment to the breeds ie dowry payment, hardiness, prestige etc. This is despite the fact that improved breeds have higher milk yields, which can support setting up of milk based industries, for processing fresh/fermented milk, yogurt, ghee, butter, cheese etc. These would easily be marketed within the region and offer employment opportunities and a chance for appropriate skills development for the District?s population in the new firms. Lack of quality animal feeds aggravates the situation. Market skills and information are poorly developed in that even within the district, people tend not to know areas with effective demand for their milk products. Coupled with lack of storage facilities and cooling plants prices tend to fluctuate seasonally, with very low prices being offered to farmers for their produce. There is also a high demand for credit in the District for dairy development, however, the District has limited credit facilities and lending institutions, and where available, the demand for collaterals such as title deeds and high interest rates on loans offered to the farmers. There have been high fluctuations in milk production from both the dairy and zebu cattle in Vihiga District over the period 1995 to 1999 (District Annual Reports, 1995-1999). These fluctuations could be attributed to seasonality in pasture production, a major feed resource for cattle in the region, and the need for more land for food crop production than livestock production, leading to less land under pastures and fodder production. The District has also witnessed minimal growth in cattle numbers over the years as a result of reduced feed supply due to land presure. Sabatia Division of the District had the highest milk production levels by mid 1999, with Tiriki East Division having the least. This may be due to the presence of many research and extension activities on dairy production in the Division leading to more uptakes of dairy technologies. Milk processing and marketing is also not well developed in the District and this limits the expansion of the dairy industry. This is because of the fewer number of dairy animals kept and managerial problems of the two co-operative societies i.e. Vihiga and Sabatia that had been formed to market farmers? milk. Most of the milk produced is consumed locally within the District, though however, this is not always enough and more has to be imported from the neighboring Nandi District that has surplus. Milk in the District is disposed off informally 24 through hawking and farm gate sales. Formal milk marketing is through Bunyore and Vihiga co-operative societies, though these are experiencing a share of managerial problems. There is also however a private milk processor, Luanda dairy farm that processes on small scale and sells fresh milk, yogurt, mala, milk shake and cheese. Figure 6. Milk production trends in million litres for Vihiga District (1995 - Mid 1999). Source: MoARD Vihiga District Annual reports (1995-1999). 2.5.2 Bungoma District. Milk production in Bungoma District has been fairly constant over the years since 1995 (Appendix 1). Tongaren Division of the District had the highest milk production levels over the same period with the other division having relatively high and comparable milk production levels. Milk production from dairy (grade) cattle was high in Tongaren Division as compared to the other Divisions of the District (figure 7). There is also quite a number of milk processing co-operative societies in the District as shown in table 13 below. These form the formal milk marketing channels in the District, though, however milk is also marketed informally through hawking and farm gate sales. 25 Figure 7. Estimated milk production in million litres for each division in Bungoma district (1998). Source: MoARD Bungoma District Annual Report, 1998. Table13. Milk Processing Co-operative Societies in Bungoma District (1998). Society Milk handled (Litres/day) Buying Price (Kshs/litre) Consumer Price (Kshs/litre) Products Kitinda 27,000 20 40 Mala Sang?alo Institute 21,600 20 30 Yoghurt Nasyanda Dairy 24,186 20 28 Mala, Fresh milk Magharibi Dairy 21,890 20 30 Fresh milk Kimilili Mini Dairy 18,790 20 30 Fresh milk Lutonyi Dairy Fresh milk, Mala Moonstar Dairy Mala Migide Dairy Mala, Fresh milk, Yogurt. Source: MoARD. Annual Report, 1998. 2.5.3 Nandi District. The dairy industry is well developed in Nandi District and milk marketing is quite organized as compared to the other Districts in Western Kenya. Also the milk production levels are 26 high. Kilibwoni and Kapsabet Divisions of the District had the highest milk production from dairy cattle between 1997 and 1998 (Appendix 2), though there was a slight increase and drop in milk production from the two divisions respectively over the same period (figure 9). There was a major drop in milk production in Kosirai and Kaptumo Divisions of the District over the period between 1997 and 1998 (figure 8). Aldai Division of the District experienced a major increase in milk production from both dairy and zebu cattle between the same period. Generally there was a major drop in milk production from dairy cattle in the District from 74.2 million litres in 1997 to 42.4 million litres in 1998, though the milk production from zebu cattle increased tremendously over the same period (Appendix 3). Figure 8. Milk production (in million litres) trends for each division in Nandi District. Source: MoARD Nandi District Annual Report, 1997-1998. Milk Processing and Marketing Channels in Nandi District. 1. Kenya co-operative creameries (KCC) - has two cooling plants at Kapsabet and Lessos. 2. Lessos co-operative society - markets milk to KCC and has A.I service scheme. 3. Kamnon co-operative society - it operates in the central Division and is multipurpose, though it has A.I service scheme and markets milk. 4. Kaigat co-operative society - serves Nandi and Uasin - Gishu Districts and has an A.I service scheme. 5. Kaptumo co-operative society - it is multipurpose though processes and sells fermented milk (mala). 27 2.6 Constraints to dairy cattle production in the region Experience within the Regional Research Centre mandate area reveals that biophysical and socio- economic constraints limit the productive and reproductive potential of the dairy herd on smallholder farms even though the soils and climate of the region provides a suitable environment for intensive crop and dairy production. The major constraints include: a) Inadequacy and poor quality feeds. b) Unavailability of suitable dairy breeds. c) High levels of mortality due to diseases and parasites. d) Poor management/husbandry practices. e) Reluctance by farmers to direct labour and management efforts from other farm activities to dairy production. f) Lack of cash for capital investment in basic infrastructure required for dairy production. g) Marketing problems for milk and milk products (poor milk prices, delayed payments, lack of market etc.) 28 3.0 LIVESTOCK RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES IN THE REGION The table below shows Research/Extension activities involved in livestock production in the region. Activity Present situation Objective Level of collaboration with the MOA/Dept. Site of operation Organization responsible 1. On-farm trials on dry season feeding strategies for dairy cows. Duration: 1999- 2001 Demonstrations, on simple homemade ration formulations already conducted. 22 farmers going on with the trials. Sustain milk production at economical levels even in times of drought. Sustain other dairy cow performances by provision of quality feeds. -PRA in study areas -Planning and review meetings. -Farmers demonstration of -Implementation of other planned activities like following ups. Vihiga KARI 2. Use of dual purpose goats as alternative source of milk. Farmers training not yet conducted. But 64 farmers on trials, 46 impact farmers registered. -Provide alternative source of milk to farmers. -Improve husbandry practices for the goat. -Not yet streamlined - But the depart. Of livestock prod. Pursuing on efforts to improve this. Vihiga Lagrotech. 3. Trials on Tumbukiza technology on Napier establishment. Three cut of ten farmers doing well with the technology. -Provide alternative to conventional way of Napier establishment. -Compare need requirement on husbandry practices for the two methods. -Follow-ups -Review sessions. Vihiga Siaya KARI 4. Vaccinations against common diseases in indigenous birds. -Little impact in cluster area. -But practicing farmers realizing -Create awareness on poultry vaccination. -Extension staff in the field involved in all activities. Vihiga Kakamega KARI 29 improved turnover. Siaya Bungoma 5. Sustainable natural resource management -PRA already done -Farmers identified Broadly, management of natural resource base with a view of improving production per unit area. Staff both the MOA and KARI involved at all levels of operations. Vihiga KARI/ICRAF - AHI (African Highland Initiative) 6. Development of small scale fish farming Farmers identified and already to engage in fish farming. -Provide a source of income -Improve nutritional status of participating household. Identification of farmers demonstration in collaboration with the fisheries department Vihiga Busia Bungoma LBDA 7. Provision of credit to organized groups and application of organic farming methodology and marketing of farmers produce. Farmers already sensitized on the operations of the groups. Assist farmers in identification and management of small- scale project at the above level. Not yet quite streamlined Vihiga Kakamega Bungoma Siaya Africa Now/Care Kenya/SCODP 8. Provision of cows. Creation of alternative -A.I service approach -Farm census on dairy cows to be done. -Office in place at the ground. -Provision of soft credit for dairy production. -Provision of employment opportunities and A.I Services To be through planning and execution of activities. Not yet very clear Vihiga Butere/Mumias ABS/HPI 30 4.0 LIVESTOCK EXTENSION SERVICES WITHIN THE REGION 4.1 Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD) A) Livestock Development Project (LDP) This project started in 1991 and has been running in phases. Phase 1(1991-1994), Phase II (1995-June 1998) and Phase III was from July 1998 and is still on going. This project is co- funded by both the Finish Government and the Kenyan Government and is run under two ministries, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Co- operative development. In western Kenya it operates in all Districts. However Nandi District does not have any component of the project. The main objective of the project is to increase milk production in milk deficit areas. The main activirty under the project is upgrading of the local cattle by use of grade bulls (Bull Schemes) through natural services. They also carry out disease control (dips rehabilitation, issuance of spray pumps on cost sharing basis and community maintained animal health assistance), forage (fodder and pasture) production through establishment and maintenance of bulking plots and nurseries, training of farmers and staff, cow from cow rotation scheme under the women groups and support of dairy co-operatives on milk handling, marketing and training. 4.2 Non-Governmental/International Organizations (NGOs) The following is a list of other organizations working with the farmers in the region towards improving Livestock Production and other Agricultural activities. Organization District Area of Interest Dorcas Project International Kakamega Dairy FARMESA Kakamega Dairy Heifer Project International Kakamega, Vihiga, Poultry Butere/Mumias 1. Mumias Out-Growers Kakamega, Bungoma, Dairy Butere/Mumias 2. The Kenyan Indigenous Forest Kakamega Dairy 3. Organic Matter Management Network Kakamega, Vihiga Dairy/Beekeeping 4. CARD-ASSETS Kakamega Training 5. ILRI - East Coast Fever Immunization project by Dr. Kiara in Kakamega and Butere/Mumias Districts. The project aims at developing ECF Vaccines by collecting biophysical data with regard to East Coast Fever resistance within the area of operation 6. Lake Basin Development Authority operating in the Bungoma is involved in multiplication of dairy cattle through sale of heifers and bulls to the farmers at 70% of the cost while the farmer provides the remaining 30%. 7. Kitinda dairy in Bungoma is run by a private businessman and undertakes Napier establishment for farmers. 8. Kaputanayi co-operative society in Bungoma operates as a non-governmental organization and receives donor funds to purchase dairy animals for the farmers. 9. Mumias Out-growers Company (MOCO), a sugar cane growing farmers co-operative society, operates in Kanduyi and Bumula Divisions of Bungoma district and apart from 31 offering AI services to farmers, gives them heifers and cows and also materials for zero- grazing units construction and spray pumps. 5.0 REFERENCES R. de Jong, E.A. Mukisira (1997). Proceedings of the NDCPRP - FSA - RET Visits/Seminars. J.B. Schiere (1998) On farm research in crop and livestock systems. (NDCPRP Coordination office). E.A. Mukisira, R. de Jong. National Dairy Cattle and Poultry Research Programme. Proceedings of the zonal farming systems workshop. E.A. Mukisira, R. de Jong . Farming systems Research Development for the NDCPRP. Anon (1996). Epidemiological study of ruminant helminthoses of cattle, goats and sheep in Western Kenya. In KARI Annual report 1996. Pages 162-163. Anon (1996). Cross sectional survey of farming practices in Kakamega District. In KARI Annual report 1996. Pages 163-164. Joyce Wafula (1999) Resource Projects Kenya. Report on the findings of a participatory rural appraisal and bbaseline survey conducted on 15TH - 26TH November, 1999 in North Maragoli, West Maragoli, Lyaduywa and Busali West Locations of Sabatia division, Vihiga district, Kenya. District Annual Reports. (i) Vihiga district, 1992-1999. (ii) Nandi district, 1996-1998. (iii) Kakamega district, 1996-1998. (iv) Bungoma district, (1993-1998) National Dairy Development Project. A Gender differentiated study on impacts of intensive dairy farming on Socio- economic position of smallholder households in Vihiga district, Kenya. Director of Veterinary Services. Western Province. Annual report, 1998. Appendix 1. Estimated Milk production and Trends in Bungoma District per Division (1995- 1997) 32 Litres of milk produced/Year. Division Grade Cattle Zebu Cattle Total (1997) 1996 1995 Kanduyi 1,422,000 2,865,600 4,278,600 5,147,802 5,983,000 Bumula 582,000 2,650,590 3,232,590 3,860,851 3,990,000 Sirisia 1,090,000 2,773,440 3,863,440 3,539,114 319,200 Webuye 744,000 1,906,200 2,650,200 4,182,589 6,783,000 Kimilili 902,400 517,104 1,419,504 4,504,326 5,985,600 Tongaren 16,056,000 8,887,328 16,943,328 8,043,440 9,975,000 Chwele 720,000 505,440 1,225,440 - - Ndivisi 360,000 1,360,800 1,720,800 - - Nalondo 826,800 526,122 1,352,922 2,895,638 3,990,000 Total 22,703,200 13,983,624 36,686,824 32,173,760 39,000,000 Source: MoARD. Annual reports, 1995 - 1998. Appendix 2. Milk production levels in litres per Division in Nandi District (1997-998). 1998 1997 Division Dairy cattle Zebu cattle Dairy cattle Zebu cattle Aldai 3,298,637 1,099,646 729,150 863,040 Kabiyet 794,524 261,841 11,141,130 38,040 Kapsabet 6,955,039 2,318,346 12,536,090 232,190 Kilibwoni 17,945,715 5,981,905 21,551,390 1,327,860 Kipkarren 3,244,320 1,081,440 3,719,275 65,610 Kosirai 1,755,000 585,000 10,914,820 47,385 Nandi hills 3,786,000 1,262,000 4,336,990 711,500 Kaptumo 3,525,000 1,175,000 7,800,275 1,621,300 Tindiret 1,118,346 372,782 1,472870 29,160 Total 42,422,585 14,140,860 74,201,990 4, 936,085 Source: MoARD. Annual report, 1998.