🐴🥛 The Socio-Economic Contribution of Donkeys in the Dairy Value Chain in Kenya
📚 The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) in partnership with Brooke East Africa launched a fascinating research report on the socio-economic value of donkeys in the dairy industry. Let's dive into the highlights! #DonkeyDairyValueChain
🔎 The study aimed to understand the role of working equids in dairy production, the cost of not having donkeys in the milk supply chain, alternatives in case of donkey population depletion, and the impact on donkeys if viable alternatives were implemented. #DonkeyResearch
📍 The research was conducted in Nyandarua, Bomet, Elgeyo Marakwet, and West Pokot Counties, known for their favorable climatic conditions for dairy production. These areas have challenging terrains and poor road networks, making donkey transportation crucial. #DairyProduction
🚜 In the surveyed areas, donkeys played a vital role in the dairy industry. They were used to transport fodder, manure, water for cattle, crop residues, and even milk. Donkey transport was preferred due to the impassable roads and difficult terrains. #DonkeyTransport
📈 On average, donkey transporters moved significant amounts of milk daily. In Nyandarua, they transported 312 liters of milk from 43 farmers, while in West Pokot/Elgeyo Marakwet and Bomet, they transported 85 and 94 liters of milk respectively. #MilkTransportation
💰 The economic impact of donkey transport in the dairy value chain is substantial. Donkeys delivered 17% (15,000 liters) of the milk collected daily from 11 bulking plants during the study. Annually, this translates to 5.5 million liters and an estimated revenue of Kes 196 million. #DonkeyEconomy
🚺 Donkeys also played a critical role in supporting women in their household and livestock responsibilities. In the absence of donkeys, women would have to shoulder the burden of fetching and ferrying water, fodder, manure, and milk. #WomenEmpowerment
🔑 Recommendations:
1️⃣ Create awareness among communities and stakeholders about the donkey's contribution to the dairy enterprise, emphasizing its impact on household income.
3️⃣ Enact laws and policies at national and county levels to support donkey welfare and allocate resources for welfare initiatives.
5️⃣ Enhance animal health services to ensure healthy donkeys, boosting productivity in the dairy industry.
6️⃣ Conduct a comprehensive survey on donkey health, including African horse sickness, to address prevalent health challenges. #DonkeyWelfare
📚 This research sheds light on the crucial role of donkeys in the dairy value chain and the need to balance their welfare with economic considerations. Let's work towards sustainable and inclusive dairy production in Kenya! 🥛
🌾 #DonkeyDairyValueChain #SustainableDairy