Influence of Utilizing Management through Mobile Phones on Milk Yield

Dairy cattle farming is a major economic activity in Kenya contributing 3.5 percent of the national GDP; and providing income, employment and food to 1.6 million smallholder dairy farmers. The country's milk production is low, at 5.8 billion litres against the annual potential of 16.6 billion litres. The major constraint in the dairy industry in Njoro Sub-County is inadequate utilization of management by smallholder dairy farmers leading to low milk yield. Over 80 per cent of the smallholder dairy farmers and all livestock extension staff in Njoro Sub-County own mobile phones which can be used by extension staff to pass on management skills to dairy farmers. The aim of this book was to determine the influence of utilizing management via mobile phones on milk yield among dairy farmers in Njoro Sub-County, Kenya. An ex post facto research was carried out targeting a total population of 10,300 farmers in Njoro Sub-County where 106 farmers were interviewed. The results revealed that there was a correlation between utilizing management via mobile phones and milk yield. The study recommended that for increased milk production, efforts should be made to utilize management.