Meru Data

This data was used to compare milk production of producer organization members and non-members in South Imenti sub-county, Meru County, determine the role of producer organizations on the farm-level implementation of milk hygiene strategies and its eventual implication on the performance of dairy enterprises. Multi-stage sampling technique was employed to select a sample of 282 dairy farmers. The study used descriptive statistics and independent sample t-tests to compare quantity of milk produced by producer organization members and non-members. Poisson regression model and Endogenous Switching Regression model to determine the influence of producer organizations on farm level implementation of milk hygiene strategies and its impact on the performance of dairy enterprises respectively. Data was analyzed using SPSS and STATA. Results indicated that there is statistically significant difference in milk production of dairy farmers as well as difference in performance of producer organizations in South Imenti sub-county. The average annual quantity of milk produced by members was twice that produced by non-members. Further, Poisson regression results indicated that producer group membership had a positive and significant influence on farm-level implementation of milk hygiene strategies. The Probit regression results identified institutional factors, including access to credit, distance to milk collection centres, and milk prices as the most crucial factors that positively influenced membership in producer organizations. Superior animal breeds and hours spent on dairy production activities encouraged membership and also enhanced milk production. Endogenous switching regression results revealed positive and significant effects of producer organizations on actual and counterfactual scenarios for both members and non-members. To improve milk production, milk quality and performance on dairy enterprises, this study recommends that dairy farmers experiencing technical difficulties should be sensitized, mobilized and profiled to promote their participation in collective action. Moreover, the capacity and capability of already existing producer organizations and other like-minded organizations should be strengthened to deliver training, extension, and education to technically challenged dairy farmers.