Project details

Informal supply chain projects

Project 2

Project Title

IDENTIFYING WATER USE EFFICIENCY ENHANCING INNOVATIONS IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR OF DAIRY VALUE CHAIN

Project background

The threat of water scarcity in Kenya is due to expanding agricultural needs, climate variability or inappropriate land use. Livestock dairy production is one of the fastest growing agricultural sectors, partly because of the increasing and changing demand for adequate quantity, safe and diverse food for people driven by growing incomes and demographic transition. Besides the economic benefits raising dairy production could also deplete and aggravate water scarcity locally and globally. This research project is based on identifying innovation that would enhance water use efficiency in the informal sector of dairy value chain within Njoro division.

Project Justification

The insufficient understanding of livestock productivity, impeded sound decision on resource management undermined achieving the returns on investment in agricultural water in Kenya. Livestock water productivity (L.W.P) defined as the ratio of livestock output to the amount of the water depleted and could  raise efficiency of water inputs by integrating livestock with crop, water and landscape management policies and practice improving feed water productivity by maximizing transpiration and minimizing evaporation and other losses.

Specific Learning Outcomes expected from participants on completion of case study

1. To have identified the specific component’s in the dairy value chain, source of water and to determine their relative contribution to each component of the dairy value chain.
2. To have determined the quality, safety and status of water used to identify other uses that compete for fresh water with dairy production process along the dairy value chain.
3. To have indentified strategies that can improve L.W.P in dairy value production chain.

Status

Funded: On-going