Economics of Smallholder Dairy in the Marginal Zones of Kenya

Agriculture is the mainstay of the people in the §marginal zones.But it is unreliable and food §deficits are often experienced. There are no cash §crops or off-farm employment activities. Over 60 % §of the people live below the poverty line.Thus, §reduction of poverty remains a key challenge. §Alternative agricultural activities with a promise §of higher return to resources, expectation of §future growth, and suitable for this zone are §needed.Market oriented dairy has filled this §need.Farmers in this zone have diversified from §subsistent food crops to market oriented smallholder §dairy.There is potential for increased demand and §higher prices for dairy products especially within §the townships. Dairy production is labour intensive §and offers employment.Payments from dairy products §are distributed throughout the year; with §cash receipts constituting a monthly salary, and §increased incomes.Dairy has potential to enhance §food security and improvement of livelihoods. Thus, §smallholder dairy is a catalyst for rural §development.This book can be recommended to policy §makers, students and organizations grapling with §development in rural areas of LDCs.