The determinants of the performance of dairy smallholders in Malawi
Milk production in Malawi is stagnating although neighbouring countries steadily increase outputs. In this paper, we explored the determinants of the performance of dairy smallholders. As indicators of on-farm performance we used annual milk yield, calving intervals, and annual dairy income. Regress...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Kassel University Press
2017-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://jarts.info/index.php/jarts/article/view/2017010351844 |
| _version_ | 1818608773104664576 |
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| author | Ivo Baur Christian Gazzarin McLoyd Banda Markus Lips |
| author_facet | Ivo Baur Christian Gazzarin McLoyd Banda Markus Lips |
| author_sort | Ivo Baur |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Milk production in Malawi is stagnating although neighbouring countries steadily increase outputs. In this paper, we explored the determinants of the performance of dairy smallholders. As indicators of on-farm performance we used annual milk yield, calving intervals, and annual dairy income. Regression models revealed that milk yield was negatively related with farmer’s age, female farmer, and household size, but positively influenced by farmers’ experience. Calving intervals were strongly associated with labour costs and breeding method. Income from dairying was only associated with farmers’ education but varied strongly with region. Regional effects existed for all performance indicators which may partly be rooted in land scarcity in the south and the efforts of development agencies to promote dairying in the northern and central regions. Results also revealed a tendency for pure breeds to produce higher outputs, but crossbreeds due to lower costs provided better income. Thus, we recommend that experienced farmers become involved in extension programs to provide comprehensive services that help farmers make more efficient use of their scarce assets, and thus realise more of the animals’ genetic potential with regard to the three observed performance indicators. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T14:47:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-80cb1c5a30ae4ea28dc4914cc21cee86 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1612-9830 2363-6033 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T14:47:58Z |
| publishDate | 2017-03-01 |
| publisher | Kassel University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics |
| spelling | doaj.art-80cb1c5a30ae4ea28dc4914cc21cee862022-12-21T22:27:42ZengKassel University PressJournal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics1612-98302363-60332017-03-0111815968The determinants of the performance of dairy smallholders in MalawiIvo Baur0Christian Gazzarin1McLoyd Banda2Markus Lips3Agroscope; Institute for Sustainability Sciences, Tänikon, Switzerland; Ostrom Workshop, Indiana University Bloomington, USAAgroscope; Institute for Sustainability Sciences, Tänikon, SwitzerlandDepartment of Agricultural Research Services, Mbawa Research Station, Embangweni, Mzimba, MalawiAgroscope; Institute for Sustainability Sciences, Tänikon, SwitzerlandMilk production in Malawi is stagnating although neighbouring countries steadily increase outputs. In this paper, we explored the determinants of the performance of dairy smallholders. As indicators of on-farm performance we used annual milk yield, calving intervals, and annual dairy income. Regression models revealed that milk yield was negatively related with farmer’s age, female farmer, and household size, but positively influenced by farmers’ experience. Calving intervals were strongly associated with labour costs and breeding method. Income from dairying was only associated with farmers’ education but varied strongly with region. Regional effects existed for all performance indicators which may partly be rooted in land scarcity in the south and the efforts of development agencies to promote dairying in the northern and central regions. Results also revealed a tendency for pure breeds to produce higher outputs, but crossbreeds due to lower costs provided better income. Thus, we recommend that experienced farmers become involved in extension programs to provide comprehensive services that help farmers make more efficient use of their scarce assets, and thus realise more of the animals’ genetic potential with regard to the three observed performance indicators.http://jarts.info/index.php/jarts/article/view/2017010351844dairy productionperformancemilk yieldcalving intervalsdairy income |
| spellingShingle | Ivo Baur Christian Gazzarin McLoyd Banda Markus Lips The determinants of the performance of dairy smallholders in Malawi Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics dairy production performance milk yield calving intervals dairy income |
| title | The determinants of the performance of dairy smallholders in Malawi |
| title_full | The determinants of the performance of dairy smallholders in Malawi |
| title_fullStr | The determinants of the performance of dairy smallholders in Malawi |
| title_full_unstemmed | The determinants of the performance of dairy smallholders in Malawi |
| title_short | The determinants of the performance of dairy smallholders in Malawi |
| title_sort | determinants of the performance of dairy smallholders in malawi |
| topic | dairy production performance milk yield calving intervals dairy income |
| url | http://jarts.info/index.php/jarts/article/view/2017010351844 |
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