Enhancement Strategies for Effective Adoption of Dairy Farming Technologies by Rural Women in Khwisero, Kakamega County, Kenya

The use of appropriate technologies by rural women dairy farmers would help increase dairy production globally to meet the growing demand for milk and dairy products. This envisioned growth for the industry will not be realized without the adoption and appropriate use of dairy technologies by rural women dairy farmers. Yet the adoption rate has remained low. The study from which the article is based was conducted in Khwisero sub-county, Kakamega County in Kenya in 2017 with an aim to determining better strategies for the adoption of dairy technologies in the location of study.  Random sampling was used to sample location and sub-location and to select 72 respondents from the target of 720.The suggested strategies included improvement on frequency of trainings and methods used and the use of an integrated-multisectoral training approach with information packaged so as to promote gender equity and equality in adoption. In addition, a greater use of more women mentors and rewarding of women role model in dairy farming were recommended. Other proposals included strengthening the capacities of extension officers, understanding gender needs, motivating women to invest in dairy technologies as well as NGOs and the County Government developing a unified approach to disseminate of information on dairy technologies. In other words, the employment of integrated, multisectoral and multifaceted approaches that are inclusive of both men and women were strongly encouraged in the enhancement of dairy farming technologies adoption in the study area.