Kirimi Andrew Kimathi, Nyarindo Wilckyster Nyateko, Gatimbu Karambu Kiende
Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Embu, Kenya.
Department of Business Studies, University of Embu, Kenya.
Heliyon. 2024 Sep 22;10(19):e38157. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38157. eCollection 2024 Oct 15.
Attempts have been made to promote the adoption of modern dairy farming technologies (MDFT). However, the adoption of these technologies largely remains underutilized. This study aimed to analyze the determinants of the adoption of MDFTs in Meru County. Using purposive and proportionate sampling techniques from 355 smallholder dairy farmers in Meru County, Kenya, this study analyzed the factors that facilitate or impede the adoption of MDFTs. We use a Multivariate probit (MVP) to evaluate adoption decisions by dairy farm households facing multiple MDFTs. The results reveal a significant correlation among the eight MDFTs suggesting that modern technologies are interrelated. The MVP model results indicate that household income, education level, number of extension contacts, access to credit, farmer group membership, farming experience and livestock monetary value had positive effect on the adoption of MDFTs. Education level and extension contacts had a positive influence on the adoption of fodder establishment and preservation technologies. Farming experience in dairy farming had a positive effect on the adoption of well-structured and clean sleeping areas, and the growth of Rhodes grass. Household income had a positive effect on the growth of Rhodes grass and feed mixture. This work illustrates a need for a policy implication and insight into a need for the county government and private milk processing companies to increase extension frequency to enhance the adoption of MDFTs. Additionally, there is a need to increase access to affordable credit, this should be considered by the government by establishing strengthening a smallholder low-interest and efficient local credit schemes and institutions.
人们已尝试推广现代奶牛养殖技术（MDFT）。然而，这些技术的采用在很大程度上仍未得到充分利用。本研究旨在分析梅鲁县采用MDFT的决定因素。本研究采用目的抽样和比例抽样技术，从肯尼亚梅鲁县的355名小农户奶牛养殖者中，分析了促进或阻碍采用MDFT的因素。我们使用多元概率单位模型（MVP）来评估面临多种MDFT的奶牛养殖户的采用决策。结果显示，八项MDFT之间存在显著相关性，这表明现代技术是相互关联的。MVP模型结果表明，家庭收入、教育水平、推广联系次数、获得信贷的机会、农民团体成员身份、养殖经验和牲畜货币价值对采用MDFT有积极影响。教育水平和推广联系对采用饲料种植和保存技术有积极影响。奶牛养殖经验对采用结构良好且干净的睡眠区域以及罗得草的生长有积极影响。家庭收入对罗得草和混合饲料的生长有积极影响。这项工作表明需要出台政策，并为县政府和私营牛奶加工公司提供见解，以增加推广频率，促进MDFT的采用。此外，有必要增加获得负担得起的信贷的机会，政府应考虑通过建立和加强小农户低息且高效的地方信贷计划和机构来实现这一点。
