A STUDY OF TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION BY SUBSISTENCE FARMERS WITH A CASE STUDY INVOLVING DAIRY GOATS IN KENYA
Abstract
Widespread malnutrition in the rural areas of Kenya has attracted the attention of local and foreign rural development agencies. Adoption of dairy goats has been suggested as a means to overcome some of Kenya's development problems. This study investigates the economic conditions under which dairy goats might be adopted. The research is based on a combination of field work and analytical modeling. Surveys were conducted to provide descriptive statistics as well as the basic variables used in a linear programming model. The decision environment specified in the linear programming model considered: minimum household nutritional needs, relative prices of staples and goat products, goat production costs, and sources of nutrients for goats. An annual farm planning equilibrium model was used. The year was divided into 12 periods to reflect seasonal changes. Competition for scarce resources between livestock and staple crop production was endogenized. The livestock activities derive their dietary energy and proteins from crop waste, native pasture, planted fodder and purchased feed. Human nutritional requirements can be met from farm production or purchase. Household size and structure determine the minimum level of nutrient intake. The survey indicated that the peasants produce a narrow range of staple crops with traditional technology and no purchased inputs. Over 50 percent of the households have access to less than one hectare of land. The average family has six or more members. Average maize yields range from 1100 to 2000 kilograms per hectare. Many households do not produce enough to avoid hunger during some period of the year and food security is perceived as their most important goal. Under present circumstances, the analysis indicates that there is little likelihood of adoption of dairy goats. The competition for scarce cropland favors staple crops. Even in those cases when dairy goats have a higher probability of adoption, a modest increase in crop yield prevented dairy goats from entering the optimal farm plan. The analysis indicates that under present conditions farmers' concern with food security is more important than the perceived nutritional benefits and cash earning potential from dairy goats.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Agricultural economics
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