Highlights

Intervention in Market Development in Isiolo County Increases Livestock Price

The Livestock sub-sector contributes about 10% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and accounts for over 30% of farm gate value of agricultural commodities. Livestock production is a major economic and social activity for the communities that live in the high rainfall areas for Intensive livestock dairy production and in the arid and semi-arid areas (ASALS) for meat production (J. K. Kiptarus J.K., 2005).It is on this background that Farm Concern International (FCI) ... Read More

Transforming agro-pastoralist livelihoods through linkages to livestock markets in Garba Tula Isiolo County

Recurring drought in Isiolo County has significantly dilapidated 80% of pastoral livelihoods who depend on livestock production to meet their basic needs (District steering Group report, 2011). In addition, poor infrastructure and inadequate marketing policies in Garba Tula District hamper the business leading to 74.1 % of the total population living below the poverty line.

However, Garba Tula Pastoralist Livelihoods Project (GAPLIP) which is implemented by WVK in partnership with Farm Concern International is turning agro-pastoralists into millionaires through livestock commercialization and market linkages.  This revolution has taken place in an area previously shunned by buyers due to rampant insecurity...Read More

Women’s Participation Higher in Livestock Trade in Garba Tula

Participation of women in the project was 54% who mostly sold the smallest number of livestock which totaled to 4,647 animals. The sale had a direct impact on the household income supporting 8,956 Children (4,463 boys, 4,493 girls), 1,097 women and 920 Men.

According to World Development Report 2012 done by Word Bank, the lives of women around the world have improved dramatically, at a pace and scope difficult to imagine even 25 years ago. Women have made unprecedented gains in rights, education, health, and access to jobs and livelihoods... Read More 

 Goat Selling Tops Market in Isiolo County  

GAPLIP Project in Kinna Division has not only transformed smallholder farmers’ economic status positively but also improved other existing businesses like the hotel industry due to the influx of buyers who eat and spend their nights in this region, resulting to increased cash flow. 

In bid to promote livestock sales in Garba Tula sub-county, World Vision partnered with Farm Concern International (FCI) to carry out market research on livestock and crops which informed the establishment of 21 commercial villages and 42 Commercial producer groups in Kinna division. Commercial Villages are organized units that play a vital role for market access and linkages between farmers and buyers...Read More

Case Study

 Hide/Skin Bulking in Kaja CV

“When Farm Concern International first came to work within my community, I thought it was another Organization that came in the name of assisting us, but in reality benefit itself instead,” said Adan Komba, a member of Kaja Commercial Village. Even with his fears, Adan still joined Kaja CV for speculative purposes. With nothing to lose, he had no interest nor expectation from the project. Little did he know that this was an opportunity that came to transform his livelihood.

 “I did not believe it when I was told that a buyer will come all the way from Maua to purchase 210 skins of goat and sheep from me at a total price of Ksh. 52,500” he said. He took it as mere joke that every other scheming partners had told them before. Maua Town is about 40 Km away with no regular transport system and travelers are not assured of getting means back after their visits. In addition, the journey is characterized with a rough terrain of the road network and insecurity along the way. This has made buyers not to travel to Kina for livestock purchase and its products.

When the buyer eventually came and purchased Adan’s goat and sheep skins at the cost promised by FCI, Adan was not only surprised but also humbled. This action, brought about a paradigm shift within the community and got them interested in FCI market led approach of the Commercial Village Model. Adan and his group begun to consolidate their hides; each member who slaughters their livestock brought the hide/skin to the store; some even go an extra mile to purchase from area residents and bring it to the store. 

The hide is later sold in bulk to the buyers linked to the CV courtesy of FCI program in the region. This has brought such a great relief for farmers as the buyers omit themselves to personally come for the hides, with minimum quantity of 100 pieces at any given time enabling the farmers to trade from the comfort of their door step. 

Gaplip Project: - A Case of Kinna Livestock Market

FCI developed a two tier approach with a focus on community commercialization campaigns, administration interaction and key informants engagement as well as undertaking a market survey, market scouting, buyer identification and prioritization and conducting of Village Business Forums.

The project in Kina Division has four Agricultural schemes namely Gubadida, Rapsu, Kina and Parajani where horticulture farming is highly practiced. Major crops grown within the division include onions, tomatoes, kales, mangoes, bananas and maize. 

The area has pastoral zones namely Kulamawe and Barambate, with cattle keeping as the main activity. Some farmers keep large herds of cattle, close to 600. The target livestock and livestock products for marketing in Garbatula are live cow, sheep and goats, camel milk, hide and skin, green manure and poultry.

The introduction of GAPLIP project by FCI has helped change these harsh conditions for Kinna farmers. The pastoralists were organized into groups, for assembling the livestock they desire to sell through commercialization campaigns, thus creating a small animal market within the community. The livestock would then be purchased in bulk by buyers who travel to the community.  The transaction is managed by the group’s Chairperson as agreed to by the group members. This process reduces the transaction costs by eliminating the services of brokers, thus increasing the profit margin for the farmers in the livestock value chain.

“From the bottom of my heart, I thank Farm Concern International for bringing the market close to our home” says Mohamed Boru, a Father of five from Kaja Commercial Village. After making a sale of 10 goats valued at Ksh. 51,000. “Orrin aba male abare inqubu,” (“livestock do have owner but not step father.”). He added, “Since long time ago I had to sell my livestock through brokers who at times underestimate the value of our animals and blame it on poor market’’

Mohamed would spend hours or even long days to travel to the market; some of his livestock would die on the way to the market inferring immediate losses, upon crossing the council boundaries, the council askaris await to get livestock levy from him. 

Furthermore, he has to rent a temporary boma (pen) to keep the animals and still pay a broker to sell the livestock at a throw away price. On a bad day he makes no or little sale and has to transport the animals back from the market and simply assume his accommodation and meal expenses. With this arrangement, Mohamed no longer has to spend his income on transport accommodation, meals and council levies. “The money I used to eat from hotel is used at home for the whole family’s meals” Mohamed said while smiling.