Factors influencing adoption of purchased livestock feeds by pastoralists in arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya
Date
2024
Authors
Waimiri, A. M. G.
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Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
Pastoral production is important in the attainment of food security, nutrition, and incomes for the economy and vulnerable pastoral communities. The adverse effects of climate change are increasingly becoming a challenge for livestock production in arid and semi-arid lands where pastoral households mainly depend on depleting natural pasture. This calls for adoption of purchased livestock feeds as a complementary or substitute option to cope with recurrent drought and pasture scarcity. The study was undertaken in the Arid and Semi-Arid regions of Marsabit, Kajiado, Wajir, Isiolo and Garissa counties. The study's main objective was to assess the factors influencing adoption of purchased livestock feed practices by pastoralists with regards to female headed households, common interest groups and household income. Multistage sampling technique was employed to collect quantitative data from 1053 pastoralists households stratified from five selected counties. Data was collected through an administered questionnaire and analyzed using the Multivariate Probit Model. Female household headed pastoralists were found to have a positive influence on the adoption of dry maize stover and green maize stover indicating decision making on livestock feed practices among female headed households. Membership in common interest groups was also found to have a positive influence in the adoption of hay/straw, dry maize stover and minerals highlighting the importance of collective action. Household income was found to be positive and significant for dry maize stover indicating that reduced incomes because of drought influenced livestock feed practices. The research contributes to granular data that supports the Agricultural Sector Growth Transformation Strategy in Kenya. It indicates willingness among pastoralists to purchase feeds marking a shift from reliance on natural pastures. The study underscores the need for private sector involvement on backward integration by off takers to promote livestock feed interventions that support female headed households involvement in the feed value chain and promotion of agropastoralism which is practiced by 30 percent of households. It advocates for the use of remote sensing technology to track pastoralist migration and promote public-private partnerships to enhance feed options.
Key words: Pastoralists, Multivariate probit, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, Livestock Feeds
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Citation
Waimiri, A. M. G. (2024). Factors influencing adoption of purchased livestock feeds by pastoralists in arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya [Strathmore University]. http://hdl.handle.net/11071/15533