Consumer acceptance of goat milk products in Western Kenya

Determining whether people will readily accept goat milk products was the primary objective of this study, which comprised both farmer and consumer surveys. Current milk production, processing, and consumption practices were monitored on 80 farms, about half of which kept cows. Daily milk consumption - most commonly in tea and as a liquid stock in cooking vegetables, but also as spontaneously fermented milk, butter prepared from soured milk, and fresh milk - was higher on farms with cows than on farms without, and 86% of farmers interviewed indicated that milk supplies were inadequate for their families" needs. Goat milk product acceptability was evaluated, in comparison with identically prepared cow milk products, in taste tests in schools and other sites in rural western Kenya. Results from tests involving 367 people revealed high levels of acceptability and indicated no difference in acceptability of cow and goat products. The study concludes that acceptability of goat milk products is not a constraint to the establishment of dual-purpose goat production systems. Included are 41 references (1972-83) and copies of the survey instruments used in the research. (Author abstract, modified)