Association between Manure Collection and Utilization Practices and Perceived Climate Change Mitigation among Dairy Farmers in Githunguri Sub County, Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

Climate change mitigation in dairy farming depends partly on how livestock manure is collected, stored and utilised. This study assessed the association between manure collection and utilisation practices and perceived climate change mitigation among dairy farmers in Githunguri Sub-County, Kiambu County, Kenya. A descriptive survey design was adopted, targeting registered dairy farmers in the sub-county. A sample of 210 respondents was selected using stratified random sampling, and primary data were collected using structured questionnaires supported by field observations. Secondary data were obtained from government reports, policy documents and relevant scholarly literature. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential techniques, including Pearson correlation, Chi-square tests, analysis of variance and multiple regression. The findings showed that manure collection was widely practised, with 67.6% of respondents collecting manure daily and 21.9% collecting it weekly. Direct application to farmland was the most common utilisation method (37.1%), followed by composting (29.0%) and biogas production (19.5%). Farmers perceived manure utilisation as contributing to improved soil fertility (85.7%), reduced fertiliser use (81.9%), reduced greenhouse gas emissions (71.0%) and increased carbon sequestration (55.2%). A significant positive relationship was observed between manure utilisation and perceived climate change mitigation outcomes (r = 0.684, p < 0.001). Analysis of variance showed significant differences in mitigation outcomes across manure utilisation methods (F = 8.237, p < 0.001). Regression analysis further indicated that manure collection frequency, composting and biogas utilisation significantly predicted perceived mitigation outcomes, explaining 61.2% of the variation. The study concludes that improved manure collection and utilisation practices are associated with perceived climate change mitigation benefits in smallholder dairy farming systems. Strengthening farmer training, composting initiatives and biogas adoption may support more sustainable dairy production in Githunguri Sub-County and similar agricultural settings. The findings remain perception-based rather than measured emissions.