Challenges in Dairy Goat Farming in Kenya.

May 11, 2024

Challenges facing dairy goat farming in Kenya today have been a major hindrance to the adoption of dairy goat farming in Kenya. Although dairy goat farming is a profitable venture many farmers still lack the necessary knowledge of their production in Kenya.

Despite these challenges in dairy goat farming, many farmers are turning to dairy goat farming as an alternative to dairy cow farming due to the many challenges associated with cow management and also land scarcity. The small size of dairy goats makes them suitable for rearing in small areas, enabling people in pre-urban and urban areas to engage in agriculture. This is especially beneficial in areas with high population density. Dairy goats provide a quick source of protein food for consumption, particularly in marginalized areas. Additionally, the sale of surplus milk can provide financial support to communities. Despite the high adoption rate of dairy goat farming in Kenya, some challenges still hinder farmers from fully realizing their production potential. Despite extensive research, dairy cow farming remains more popular than dairy goat farming.

Here are some of the challenges that dairy goat farmers face.

Slow-growing Market.

Dairy goat farmers in Kenya face various challenges, with marketing being a significant one. While dairy goat farming is promoted to alleviate poverty and ensure food security, accessing markets for milk supply and selling surplus milk, and breeding stocks is a significant challenge. The informal nature of the dairy goat milk market in Kenya makes it difficult for farmers to access it. Despite efforts to promote dairy goat production, organized production and processing units are limited, unlike dairy cow milk units. Although the government and NGOs support the market outlet for dairy goat milk, they are mainly concentrated in urban areas and scattered, making it difficult for farmers to access them.

Lack of extension services in Dairy goat farming.

Dairy goat farming has emerged as a profitable enterprise for small-scale farmers in Kenya. However, the slow adoption of this farming practice is partly due to the lack of extension services. Many farmers are unaware of the benefits of dairy goat farming. This has led to farmers engaging in other farming activities such as poultry, and pig farming. Additionally, dairy goat milk buyers face the challenge of acquiring a good volume of milk. This is a result of dairy goat farmers being spread out across many counties. Despite their efforts to build a market, the lack of extension services on dairy goat farming remains a significant barrier to its growth.

Diseases.

In the dairy goat production industry, diseases significantly challenge animal health and productivity. This is particularly true for exotic dairy goat breeds that most farmers in Kenya keep. These animals are susceptible to a wide range of diseases that can impact their overall well-being and productivity, causing a direct or indirect reduction in milk production. Some of the common diseases that can affect dairy goat production include respiratory infections, mastitis, foot rot, and parasites. These diseases not only reduce the quantity and quality of milk produced but also lead to increased production costs due to the cost of treatment and decreased fertility. Therefore, farmers need to implement effective disease management strategies to maintain healthy and productive dairy goat herds.

High-cost concentrate feed.

Providing adequate feed for animals is a crucial aspect of farming, and dairy goat farming is no exception. In fact, feeding dairy goats can be one of the most challenging and costly aspects of production. Up to 70% of the total cost of production for dairy goats goes to feeding, making it a significant factor that farmers must consider. Unfortunately, in Kenya, the price of concentrate feed continues to rise, making it increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain a proper diet for the goats.

It’s important to note that dairy goats require a balanced and nutritious diet to maintain optimal productivity and reproduction. This can include a variety of feed sources, such as forage, hay, and grain. In order to maintain a successful dairy goat operation, farmers must prioritize the nutritional needs of their animals. In addition, farmers should make informed decisions when it comes to feeding. Despite the challenges, with careful planning and management, it is possible to provide a nutritious and balanced diet for dairy goats while keeping production costs under control.

In breeding problems Dairy goat farming.

Natural service and artificial insemination (AI) are two major reproductive methods farmers in Kenya use for breeding their goats. Unfortunately, there is a low uptake of AI in Kenya among dairy goat farmers due to the high cost of these services. Additionally, many farmers are also slow to adopt AI services due to the low conception rates of their flocks when using AI. Therefore, farmers still use natural mating, which leads to inbreeding due to a lack of buck rotation. This has led to varying genetic values, therefore farmers getting breeds with undesired low-quality genetic traits. Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness among dairy goat farmers on the importance of AI services. This is particularly true in the selection of good breeding stock. Finally, in cases where AI services are unavailable, farmers should crossly monitor buck rotation programs. Furthermore, they should replace the buck regularly to avoid inbreeding challenges.

Abiotic factors challenges in Dairy goat farming.

Kenya’s diverse climatic conditions significantly influence the productivity and well-being of dairy goats. This is a crucial income source for many smallholder farmers. Adapting to these challenges is essential for the success of this vital industry.

The warm, humid coastal regions pose challenges, with high temperatures and humidity stressing the animals and reducing milk yields. In contrast, the temperate highlands offer more favorable conditions, but even these regions face disruptions from climate change.

Prolonged droughts can lead to feed and water scarcity, while heavy rains increase disease risks and infrastructure damage. To thrive in this dynamic climate, dairy goat farmers must employ strategic adaptations.

Breed selection of hardy, climate-resilient goats is crucial. Improved feeding and water management practices, as well as robust disease control measures, are also key. Diversifying farming activities can help mitigate climate-related risks.

To overcome the above challenges that have negatively impacted dairy goat farming in Kenya, it is crucial to sensitize the importance of quality feeding, pedigree breeding, and effective disease control. Farmers should be encouraged to join dairy service societies in order to overcome the problem of marketing. Moreover, dairy goat farmers should be encouraged to adopt quality breeding bucks or venture into AI services to avoid inbreeding challenges. Finally, the farmer should get assistance in selecting their dairy goats according to their climatic zone. One should select the breed that thrives in their region as dairy goats are greatly affected by weather conditions.