Multiobjective optimization of the trade-offs in smallholder dairy farming intensification

As farm sizes decline due to population pressure in the central highlands, smallholder farmers find it difficult to intensify dairying due to competition for resources by alternative crop and other enterprise. However, very little is known the nature of trade-offs the smallholder farmers experience...

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Main Authors: Mulinge, W.M., Oluoch-Kosura,Willis, Staal, Steven J., Mbogoh, S.
Format: Poster
Language:Inglés
Published: International Livestock Research Institute 2004
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/1705
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author Mulinge, W.M.
Oluoch-Kosura,Willis
Staal, Steven J.
Mbogoh, S.
author_browse Mbogoh, S.
Mulinge, W.M.
Oluoch-Kosura,Willis
Staal, Steven J.
author_facet Mulinge, W.M.
Oluoch-Kosura,Willis
Staal, Steven J.
Mbogoh, S.
author_sort Mulinge, W.M.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description As farm sizes decline due to population pressure in the central highlands, smallholder farmers find it difficult to intensify dairying due to competition for resources by alternative crop and other enterprise. However, very little is known the nature of trade-offs the smallholder farmers experience in making decisions about the alternative choices of enterprises and synergy levels available for smallholder farmers. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a framework for guiding choices on alternative agricultural enterprises and enterprise mixes in order to enable farmers to make more informed intensification strategies under varying market access and resource availability. The mathematical model of the decision problem is formulated in terms of multi-objective programming. It is shown that crops are not likely to replace dairy income, at least in the near term, as farm sizes decline if market access for dairy enterprise is assured. The findings indicate various strategies for smallholder farmers with small land holdings such as land-augmenting (off-farm feed resources, more intensive cropping and dairy enterprises, and continuous as well as mixed cropping). Smallholder farmers with larger land holding can engage in more labour intensive and profitable dairy production technologies. Secondly, profitable crop enterprises, especially in relatively large holdings, and relatively small amounts of labour allocated to fodder production seemed to be critical factors associated with low dairy productivity. A self-help insurance scheme is recommended to increase adoption of intensive dairy systems.
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publishDate 2004
publishDateRange 2004
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spelling CGSpace17052025-11-04T18:07:33Z Multiobjective optimization of the trade-offs in smallholder dairy farming intensification Mulinge, W.M. Oluoch-Kosura,Willis Staal, Steven J. Mbogoh, S. trade dairy industry small farms As farm sizes decline due to population pressure in the central highlands, smallholder farmers find it difficult to intensify dairying due to competition for resources by alternative crop and other enterprise. However, very little is known the nature of trade-offs the smallholder farmers experience in making decisions about the alternative choices of enterprises and synergy levels available for smallholder farmers. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a framework for guiding choices on alternative agricultural enterprises and enterprise mixes in order to enable farmers to make more informed intensification strategies under varying market access and resource availability. The mathematical model of the decision problem is formulated in terms of multi-objective programming. It is shown that crops are not likely to replace dairy income, at least in the near term, as farm sizes decline if market access for dairy enterprise is assured. The findings indicate various strategies for smallholder farmers with small land holdings such as land-augmenting (off-farm feed resources, more intensive cropping and dairy enterprises, and continuous as well as mixed cropping). Smallholder farmers with larger land holding can engage in more labour intensive and profitable dairy production technologies. Secondly, profitable crop enterprises, especially in relatively large holdings, and relatively small amounts of labour allocated to fodder production seemed to be critical factors associated with low dairy productivity. A self-help insurance scheme is recommended to increase adoption of intensive dairy systems. 2004-11-08 2010-05-26T14:59:42Z 2010-05-26T14:59:42Z Poster https://hdl.handle.net/10568/1705 en application/pdf International Livestock Research Institute Mulinge, W.M.; Oluoch-Kosura, W.; Staal, S.; Mbogoh, S. 2004. Multiobjective optimization of the trade-offs in smallholder dairy farming intensification. Poster presented at the 9th KARI Biennial Scientific Conference/Kenya Agricultural Research Forum, 8-12 November 2004, Nairobi, Kenya. Nairobi (Kenya): ILRI
spellingShingle trade
dairy industry
small farms
Mulinge, W.M.
Oluoch-Kosura,Willis
Staal, Steven J.
Mbogoh, S.
Multiobjective optimization of the trade-offs in smallholder dairy farming intensification
title Multiobjective optimization of the trade-offs in smallholder dairy farming intensification
title_full Multiobjective optimization of the trade-offs in smallholder dairy farming intensification
title_fullStr Multiobjective optimization of the trade-offs in smallholder dairy farming intensification
title_full_unstemmed Multiobjective optimization of the trade-offs in smallholder dairy farming intensification
title_short Multiobjective optimization of the trade-offs in smallholder dairy farming intensification
title_sort multiobjective optimization of the trade offs in smallholder dairy farming intensification
topic trade
dairy industry
small farms
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/1705
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AT oluochkosurawillis multiobjectiveoptimizationofthetradeoffsinsmallholderdairyfarmingintensification
AT staalstevenj multiobjectiveoptimizationofthetradeoffsinsmallholderdairyfarmingintensification
AT mbogohs multiobjectiveoptimizationofthetradeoffsinsmallholderdairyfarmingintensification