Farmers’ training and its influence on adoption of improved dairy husbandry practices in Arumeru district

Abstract

Farmers’ training is intended at promoting uptake of knowledge and skills, changing of attitudes and making farmers achieve their aspirations. When improved husbandry practices are systematically and effectively delivered, farmers’ training is known to enhance adoption of improved husbandry practices and finally social and economic development. This study was conducted to assess the influence of farmers’ training on enhancing adoption of the improved dairy husbandry practices among trained farmers in Arumeru District, Tanzania. A cross-sectional survey design was applied in the study and data were collected from 140 trained dairy farmers. Specifically the study sought to identify improved dairy husbandry practices taught to small scale dairy farmers; determine the extent to which taught improved dairy husbandry skills are practiced by farmers and determine socioeconomic factors influencing trained farmers to effectively practice improved dairy husbandry skills they learned. Results show that majority of trained farmers adopted and practiced proper hand milking and milk hygiene, established pastures and fodder crops, and were able to follow animal health management practices and were 79.9%, 76.4% and 75.1%, respectively. Again good housing, selection and use of improved breeds, proper feeds and feeding and record keeping were adopted by 71.4%, 61.1%, 60.8% and 49.4%, respectively. Sex, education level, off-dairy income generating activities, household size, land size and extension services significantly influenced the adoption of skills they learned at p≤ 0.05. It is recommended that training backstopping; follow ups and efforts to get farmers educated are intensified to foster the adoption of the taught improved dairy husbandry practices by trained dairy farmers.