Participatory Identification and Assessment of Constraints and Opportunities in Dairy Production among Small Scale Farmers in Kericho County, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Dairy farming is the main source of livelihoods and food security, but milk production is low due to various constraints. Aims: The aim of the current study was to identify and assess the constraints and opportunities in dairy production among small scale dairy farmers in Kericho County, Kenya. Study Design:  Participatory Action Research design was adopted for the study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Ainamoi, Belgut and Bureti sub counties of Kericho County, Kenya, between November ,2024 and November 2025. Methodology: All small-scale dairy cattle farmers, keeping 1-5 dairy animals, in the County were targeted. Interview schedule was used to collect quantitative data and focus group discussion guide was used to collect qualitative data from 397 participants in the three sub-counties. Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Descriptive statistics were utilized to document the socio -demographic characteristics of the participants based on their frequencies. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis and constant comparative methods. Qualitative findings were organized into themes, categories and codes and findings presented through narratives. 62.3% of participants were male, while 37.7% were female. 29.2% were aged 40–50 years and 26.5% aged 30–40 years. 43.4% had college/university education, 38.8% secondary education, and 15.3% primary education. Results: Findings indicated that the main constraints identified were feed and input, financial, market, institutional and governance issues, infrastructure and transport constraints, climatic constraints, and knowledge and extension gaps. opportunities identified were; investment in feed systems, finance, markets, infrastructure, climate resilience, and extension services. Conclusion: Constraints at the production node are interlinked and reinforcing impacting on low productivity, reduced profitability, and weak sustainability. unlocking production node potential requires integrated investment in feed systems, finance, markets, infrastructure, climate resilience, and extension services.