Integration of organic dairy production into certified smallholder farms is a promising business opportunity

Charles Odhong, Phd, Kenya

Organic livestock production can be considered as a system of production that better fulfils animal needs, promotes use of organic and biodegradable input for production and reduce the use of conventional veterinary treatments. As demand for organic dairy products increases in Kenya, especially in Nairobi, so does the need to supply this growing market.

I decided to focus my research on identifying and providing solutions to help smallholder certified crop farmers with dairy cattle to convert their enterprises. From my previous interactions with the farmers, I had noticed that milk production in these farms was not certified despite the critical role that dairy played in the organic crop production systems. As such I dedicated my time to find ways to integrate dairy production into the whole system and create a situation where the dairy contribute to the crop production and at the same time the crops contribute to the livestock to ensure that the organic principle of fairness is obtained.

The results of the studies were contrary to my expectations. I had assumed that certified crop farmers had knowledge on the organic dairy production and as a result my role would only involve providing solutions to ensure harmonization and successful integration of organic dairy production into the whole organic production system. I discovered that the integration of organic dairy production in smallholder farms required development of strategies to ensure sufficient (quality and quantity) supply of certified organic feed to the farmers integrating organic dairy production in their farms; structural adjustments on the cow housing to provide for the welfare needs of the animal; more investment in research to develop alternative management strategies or organically accepted inputs for management of pest and diseases which are a major challenge in smallholder farming systems and provision of training and extension services for farmers to address challenges in the organic value chain.

The results from this study are important to all the stakeholders in organic production in Kenya. Farmer should realize the need to better plan their farms to be able to integrate dairy and reap the benefits from the market opportunities that exist in Nairobi; input suppliers need to see the potential to supply organic feed to smallholder farmer with small land sizes, NGOs and training institution should note the knowledge gap that exist to those who require organic knowledge and policy makers should use the information to help develop policies that support sustainable production of crops and livestock.  

As I look to the future, the central task is to develop and validate sustainable strategies that address challenges to harmonization and integration of organic dairy production into the whole farming system and to transfer the knowledge generated to the farmers because agricultural development depends to a great extent on how successfully knowledge is generated and applied.


Find the thesis on Organic Eprints


More about the project



Charles Odhong, PhD.

University of Nairobi-Kenya

Enrolment date: June 2011

Main Supervisor: R. Wahome

External supervisor: M. Vaarst


Charles Odhong graduated in December 2014. He is Managing Consultant at Value Chain Consultancy Ltd. http://www.valuechain.co.ke where he is responsible for the overall program management including program progress, performance monitoring, assessment and evaluation, risk management and reporting. In collaboration with other members of staff conceptualize and design cost effective, innovative value chain management strategies to increase farm productivity and profit.


Contact

CHARLES ODHONG (c.odhong@yahoo.com)