The Major Challenges Facing Livestock Marketing in Mandera Central District of North Eastern Province of Kenya

ABSTRACT 

The research is a descriptive survey that aimed to establish major challenges faced by livestock traders in Mandera Central district. It also determines the relative importance of the identified challenges facing livestock marketing. The study targeted livestock traders in Mandera Central district. Purposive sampling was used to select four divisions with market, from the seven available administrative units of the district. The researcher used research assistants to administer questionnaires to 58 respondents from the four market centres. Empirical data collected was then analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods. Descriptive words, bar graphs, pie charts and tables were used to present and interpret the data. A survey carried out indicates that there are barriers and constraints to livestock trade in Mandera central district and by extension the large North Eastern Province. An overview of the findings indicates that the important factors affecting the livestock trade are as follows; lack of adequate capital to do the trade comfortably (82.8 percent), lack of credit facilities to support traders (46.6 percent), high transport costs (65.5 percent), poor road infrastructure (60.3 percent), Insecurity along the marketing routes (Banditry) (63.8 percent), lack of reliable market information (60.3 percent). The study recommended the opening of abattoirs and holding grounds for purpose of livestock marketing. Measures should also be put in place to enhance dissemination of market information such as livestock prices. In conclusion, the government must put in place better livestock policies that are geared towards optimal allocation of resources to livestock projects that will hasten development.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

APPROVAL

DECLARATION .

II

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv

ABBREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS v

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES ix

ABSTRACT ‘~

CHAPTER ONE 1

1.OINTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Background 1

1.2 Contextual Background 4

1.3 Statement of the Problem 5

1.4 The Purpose of the Study 6

1.5 Research Objectives 6

1.6 Research Questions 6

1.7 Scope 7

1.8 Significance of the Study 7

CHAPTER TWO 9

LITERATURE REVIEW 9

2.0 Introduction 9

2.1 The concept of livestock marketing 9

2.2 Kenya Livestock Marketing Council - KLMC 11

2.3 The Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) 14

2.4 The Current Marketing Scenario in the Interior Markets 17

2.5 Regional Policy Environment Related To Livestock Marketing 21

2.6 Major Constraints to the Marketing of Livestock 24

2.7 Livestock Marketing System Model 28

2.8 Characteristics of livestock markets 29

CHAPTER THREE .31

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 31

3.0 Research Design 31

3.1 Research population 31

3.2 Sample size and sampling procedure 31

3.3 Instruments 32

3.4 Data analysis models 32

3.5 Validity and Reliability 32

3.6 Ethical considerations 33

3.7 Limitations 33

CHAPTER FOUR 34

DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION 34

4.0 Introduction 34

4.1 Data analysis 34

4.2 Demographic Data of the Respondents 34

4.3 The findings of study 51

4.4 Constraints to starting livestock trade and marking are 51

CHAPTER FIVE 54

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS 54

5.1 Summary 54

5.2 Conclusion 54

5.3 Recommendations 55

5.4 Area for FurtherResearch 56

REFERENCES 57

LETTER OF AUTHORITY 60

APPENDIX I: LETTER TO THE RESPONDENT 60

APPENDIX II: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR THE LIVESTOCK TRADER 61