Forage diversity and fertiliser adoption in Napier grass production among smallholder dairy farmers in Kenya

dc.date.accessioned2021-11-12T12:08:22Z
dc.date.available2021-11-12T12:08:22Z
dc.date.issued2021-11-10
dc.identifierdoi:10.17170/kobra-202110274962
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/13381
dc.language.isoengeng
dc.rightsNamensnennung 4.0 International*
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/*
dc.subjectbinary logisticeng
dc.subjectdairy cattleeng
dc.subjectforage diversificationeng
dc.subjectlivestock productioneng
dc.subjectsmallholder farmerseng
dc.subjectsown forageseng
dc.subject.ddc630
dc.subject.swdKeniager
dc.subject.swdMilchproduktionger
dc.subject.swdMilchkuhger
dc.subject.swdFuttermittelger
dc.subject.swdAbwechslungger
dc.subject.swdNahrungsmangelger
dc.subject.swdViehwirtschaftger
dc.subject.swdKleinbauerger
dc.subject.swdFutterbauger
dc.titleForage diversity and fertiliser adoption in Napier grass production among smallholder dairy farmers in Kenyaeng
dc.typeAufsatz
dc.type.versionpublishedVersion
dcterms.abstractFeed scarcity is one of the major challenges affecting smallholder dairy production in Kenya. Forages are the foundation of livestock nutritional requirements; forage diversification and fertiliser are intensification options that can increase productivity. A sample of 316 and 313 smallholder farmers were surveyed in eastern midlands and central highlands of Kenya, respectively, to establish the types of forages cultivated and the factors that influence fertiliser adoption in Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus Schumach.) production. Independent t-tests were applied to compare the effect of continuous variables on social economic and institutional characteristics between adopters and non-adopters on fertiliser and area allocated to different forages. Chi-square tests were used to compare nominal variables for the proportion of farmers growing different forages, criteria they consider in selection of suitable forages, and social economic and institutional characteristics of adopters and non-adopters of fertiliser. Binary logistic regression was used to determine factors that influence fertiliser adoption. The study revealed that forage diversification was low with Napier grass being the only forage cultivated by most farmers (~90%). Urochloa (Urochloa spp), Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth.) and Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus Jaq.) were cultivated by less than 11% of farmers. The fertiliser adoption rate was high (77%) and was influenced by gender of household head, membership of groups, access to extension services and labour. Future research should focus on promoting of forage diversification and investigate quantity and fertiliser application regimes in order to enable development of appropriate advisory services.eng
dcterms.accessRightsopen access
dcterms.creatorNjarui, Donald M. G.
dcterms.creatorGatheru, Mwangi
dcterms.creatorNdubi, Jessica M.
dcterms.creatorGichangi, Anne W.
dcterms.creatorMurage, Alice Warukira
dcterms.source.identifiereissn:2363-6033
dcterms.source.issueNo. 2
dcterms.source.journalJournal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics (JARTS)eng
dcterms.source.pageinfo245-256
dcterms.source.volumeVol. 122
kup.iskupfalse

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