Dairy farming as a strategy for community development in Mafeteng

Abstract

Agricultural practices are one of the strategies that can enhance growth in every country in the world. Dairy farming as one of the branches in agriculture is not an exception. The aim of the study was to explore the extent to which dairy farming is a strategy for community development in Mafeteng, Lesotho. The study‘s specific objectives were to investigate why dairy farming was failing to improve the standard of living in the communities of Mafeteng; to examine challenges faced by dairy farmers in Mafeteng; to assess the viability of the Akofang Makaota Dairy Farmers Association in improving dairy farmers standard of living in Mafeteng; and to suggest possible strategies to improve dairy farming for community development in Mafeteng. The study used both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Fifty respondents were sampled through snowball sampling which enabled the researcher to find successive participants with ease. The questionnaire and unstructured interviews helped the researcher to receive data from the participants. One of the findings of this study was that AMDFA proved ineffective in raising dairy farmers‘ standard of living in Mafeteng. The results also showed that the dairy sector is not growing in Mafeteng. In addition, it is recommended that the Lesotho government should implement development policies that would not benefit not only dairy producers but the entire farm sector. It is also recommended that the customary laws that are governing farming should be amended. Again, dairy farmers should access funds from the banks and/or government to enhance the smooth running of their farms