The purpose of this descriptive, correlational study was to evaluate dairy farmers' adoption characteristics and use of a Milk Collection Center (MCC) in the Western province of Rwanda. A snowball sampling method was used to identify participants (N = 53). Farmers answered a research instrument related to their use and perception of the MCC and potential price points for educational services including, artificial insemination training, mastitis treatments, vaccinations at the MCC, training in milking techniques, on-site veterinarian services, and milk quality testing.
The study showed that Rwandan dairy farmers had agreeable attitudes toward the Gisenyi MCC and were influenced by distance to MCC, access to credit, and low cost of technologies. No significant relationships existed between farmers' adopter categories (early vs. late) and their overall attitude toward the MCC. However, relationships existed between individual adopter characteristics and overall attitude toward the MCC. Farmers were willing to pay for certain educational services, such as artificial insemination training and mastitis treatments. Vaccinations at the MCC and artificial insemination training were farmers' highest valued services. Positive relationships existed between price points and importance of educational services.
The MCCs must appeal to their target client, the dairy farmer, and listen to their wants and needs to be successful and have an impact. By drawing attention to the positive attributes of the MCC, participation increases amongst the farmers wouldbenefit the MCC and the Rwandan dairy market, in addition to helping dairy farmers have a more stable market to sell their product and receive the assistance needed.
