Potential for continued livestock production in the face of population pressure in Ukwala and Hondo divisions, Siaya district, Kenya
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Date
1980
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The thesis is based on a sample survey of 50 farmers
conducted in Siaya District, Kenya, to assess the livestock position of small farmers which has been adversely affected by high population pressure in the District. , The study begins by assessing generally the role of livestock as an agricultural enterprise and the position of livestock in
Africa and Kenya. Then the position of livestock .in Siaya District is examined in detail in accordance with the objec tives of the study.
As an agricultural enterprise, livestock is a signifi- cant contributor to gross domestic product in terms of in come from internal and external markets. It is also a source of food, manure, and ox-power in places where intermediate technology is recommended. Reasons for poor performance of the cattle industry in Africa include diseases, starvation due to-drought and poor grazing management, etc. Reasons
for the lack of full development of the livestock industry
in Kenya include inadequacy of certain basic input supplies and services and widely scattered research developmentefforts
Suggested solutions to the Kenya live- stock problems include establishment of pasture leys, culti vation of fodder crops, and fencing to reduce communal graz-
ing.
stall scale farcers. Eigh population pressure building up in the
District has caused competition for scarce arable land
between cattle and crops. The competition is eliminating cattie, and as such, mixed farming and its numerous bene- fits.
This study has two objectives: (1) to examine whether to integrate the livestock enterprise more closely with a cropping system or accept the trend and ensure an efficient use of arable land without a livestock compo- nent. If (1) indicates a place for livestock, the (2) examines whether emphasis should be placed on milk produc tion, draught animals, er a combination of both, thus essentially involving a choice between grade milk animals and Zebu animals, since only Zebu cattle are used for ox-cultivation.
The analysis uses gross margins to determine three alternative feasible farming systems, namely: (1) two dairy cows and crops; (2) one dairy cow, a team of two oxen and crops; (3) crops alone (no livestock). The dairy enterprise is based on a grade milk animal. Alternatives
(1) and (2) are based on family labour only, but alter- native (3) is based on (a) family labour only and (b) family labour plus a maximum of one casual labourer as required.
Conclusions and recommendations of the study are: (1) if family labour only is employed, livestock should
be kept regardless of whether major emphasis is on dairy- ing (2 cows) or oxen (1 pair + 1 cow mainly for subsis- tence), because cash income is about the same with 2
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grade cows or with one grade cow and a pair of oxen, both with crops, and this is all that can be kent on a typical farm under a rotational grass ley system if food needs are met totally from the farm. (2) if a moderate amount of casual labour is hired (total of 61 man-days .per year),
then it would be equally profitable to grow crops alone with in a framework of uncertainty about how best to value milk
to family, provided continuous cropping is compatible with Siaya soils.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Continued Livestock Production, Population Pressure, Ukwala, Hondo Divisions, Siaya District, Kenya