Michael O’Loughlin

Project Title: Establishing the Adoption of new dairy technologies by small-scale dairy farmers in Kenya

Overview: This study is to evaluate the adoption of new dairy technologies in the Nakuru area of Kenya, specifically in the Development Pamoja catchment area.

Background: Development Pamoja has set up an infrastructure which provides a number of services for farmers including, extension officer support, machinery contracting service, a demonstration farm to demonstrate ‘good’ farming practices as well as credit facilities, for small holder farmers in its catchment area.  Some important first steps have been taken in relation to the transformation of farming in the area.

Rationale: A Survey was conducted which targeted 75 participants who are dairy farmers involved in the project. Three discussion groups and two interviews were also conducted. The aim of this research is to assess smallholder dairy farmers adoption of and planned adoption of improved forages, determine  smallholder dairy farmers entrepreneurial orientation that farmers have been exposed to with Development Pamoja and to identify what local outside the farm gate issues might support or hinder adoption of new farming technologies.

Supervisors: Teagasc: Dr. George Ramsbottom; UCD: Prof. Jim Kinsella

Location: Kenya