International Livestock Research Institute Dairy Consumption and Its Determinants in Coastal Kenya

Abstract

Dairying is an important income-generating activity for many smallholder Kenyan farmers. It provides the opportunity for regular cash income and for higher returns to land and family labour than many alternative activities. The continued development of smallholder dairying is considered to be an important element of Kenyan rural development generally, particularly in mixed crop/livestock farming systems. Future growth in dairying, however, will depend on increased domestic demand for dairy products, particularly liquid milk. Much of that growth in milk market demand can be expected to occur in urban areas, where population growth rates are highest and where the possibilities for household dairy production are limited. Although dairy demand is known generally to be relatively income elastic, little is known about the interactions of income level. urbanisation. ethnic group and market distances on demand for dairy products in Kenya.