Maasai herding and milking strategies : a case study of goals and decision-making within the household

Abstract: In Kenya the Maasai pastoralists have based their livelihoods on dairy production and the production goal is to maintain a sufficient milk supply throughout the year. The pastoral dairy production has two vital characteristics; breeding and milking. Traditionally, breeding is the men’s responsibility, while milking is the duty of women. Depending on this partition of chores between men and women, they also have different management routines, ambitions and strategies regarding the milk production. Normally, the herd owners’ emphasis is on increasing the herd size, animal welfare and herd productivity. The decision where to graze the cattle is influenced by many factors and it can be difficult to find an ideal decision that results in the highest profit. Herd owners decide on a target grazing location every morning and all decisions made during the day will affect the milk production of their herds. However, the actual milk off-take is determined by the flexible milking strategies of the women. The women’s essential goals are calf survival, sustain the family and possible milk sales hence, the goals affect the milking strategy and the amount of milk off-take. Normally, Maasai women milk two teats in each cow and leave the remaining two teats for the calf to suckle until the end of lactation. The present work was a case study of the Maasai in the semi-arid areas Olkiramatian and Shompole, Kenya, conducted in collaboration with South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO) and Lale’enok Research Centre in Magadi. The aim was to investigate what goals and strategies herd owners and women had regarding cattle milk production, and upon which factors their respective decision making were based. Additionally, the possible effects of herding strategies, milking strategies, season, and timing of calving and lactation on the milk production was investigated. Data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with both herd owners and women during October-December 2012. During twelve days, 22 herd owners and 32 of the herd owners’ women were interviewed. The studied households were chosen because they were currently collaborating with SORALO within another research project. Descriptive statistics and “eyeballing” were used to reveal relationships between the answers. This study confirms information obtained in other studies, e.g. regarding goals, ambitions and decision-making factors of herd owners and women. In addition, it is concluded that milk production indirectly is one of the factors that primarily affect the herd owners’ decisions regarding herding strategies. The herd owners also have an extensive control over milk off-take and a higher interest in milk production than expected. Other conclusions are that the women’s ambition with cattle milk production is to maximise the milk off-take and that the milking strategies differs with each woman. The seasonal impact on milk production and the herd owners’ dry season herding strategies corresponds to literature. While, women’s dry season strategies revolve around the calves. Lastly, compared to literature the Maasai heifers in the study area have a higher age at first calving and the cows have longer calving intervals and lactation periods, than perceived to be beneficial for the maximum milk yield possible.