Vol. 10, Issue 4, Part B (2025)

Author(s): Flora Gash Kambabazi, George Owuor and Anthony King’ori

Abstract: This paper examined the factors influencing the choice of utilizing the recommended forages and concentrates among smallholder dairy farmers in Nakuru County, Kenya. The study was based on data collected from a sample of 225 smallholder dairy farmers from Nakuru County, Kenya. The statistical programme STATA was used to analyse the data. Probit model result showed that factors including gender, breed types, land ownership, cow live weight, credit use, group membership, production system, herd size, extension contacts, education, and experience significantly affected the choice of utilizing recommended forages and concentrates. The average milk yield is approximately 8 litres per cow per day. This low yield is attributed to challenges such as limited access to quality feeds, limited extension services and financial resources. Therefore, the study recommends the need to improve access to quality feed, agricultural training, and extension services to help smallholder dairy farmers enhance feed efficiency and productivity.

DOI: 10.22271/veterinary.2025.v10.i4b.2178