Intensification by Small Scale Dairy Farmers - A Review of the Drivers, Externalities, and Interventions in Kenya

Abstract

This review examines the dynamics of sustainable intensification in Kenya’s smallholder dairy sector, emphasizing its impact on productivity, externalities, and the potential for environmental resilience. This study demonstrates how smallholder farmers manage labour demands within the context of increasing demand for dairy products to make strategic choices in farm management. The inclusion of better feed management and crossbreeding together with improved animal health are thought to produce the potential to subjectively increase milk yields as well as to reduce emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). The calculated value of the production model coefficient, 2.11, means that input resources can be optimized to increase milk production by 16.3% without incurring incremental costs at the same time as economizing on production costs by 4.4% without a decrease in productivity. However, rapid intensification also involves externality such as loss of our natural habitat through loss of biodiversity, polluted water, loss of trees through deforestation, and use of antibiotics, which unearths the sustainability issues. The review also shows that climate change, population, urbanization, increase in living standards, and advancements in reproductive technologies as key drivers of dairy intensification. Given this global and Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) demand for livestock products, it is only suitable that the concept of sustainable intensification (SI) emphasizes the challenge of producing more with a limited production base whilst at the same time conserving the environment. Adoption of climate-smart livestock practices, enhanced pasture management, and breeding of low methane emitting animals are key strategies that must be pursued to decrease emissions and enhance the adaptive capacity to climatic risks. This study concludes that sustainable intensification can enhance smallholder dairy productivity, improve livelihoods, and contribute to food security. However, effective policies to regulate antibiotic use, reduce environmental impact, and protect biodiversity must be set. It is therefore important for sustainable practices that would ensure that the sector is sustainable and meets the global food needs regarding population and economic development.

Keywords: Dairy production, intensification, sustainable, small scale