Goats and goat products markets in Western Kenya

Abstract

This research was undertaken to contribute to the understanding of goats and goat products markets in Western Kenya . The survey was carried out in Kakamega district which is one of the areas where dual purpose goats are being bred for milk production. The objectives of the ~study were:to identify and describe current markets for goats and goat products, assess the possibility of grade establishment and to examine market linkages and price changes in the marketing system . Both primary and secondary data were used . Primary data were generated from livestock markets through interviews by enumerators using structured questionnaire. Secondary data were obtained from divisional annual reports . Analytical techniques included,descriptive statistics, regression and bivariate correlation analysis The survey results showed that goat markets were unevenly distributed in the region and was mainly influenced by volume of livestock that can be supplied to the market from that region . It also showed that livestock exchanges at the market favoured goats of weights between 16-30kg . The cold dress weight of goats were estimated at 40 percent of the live-weight. This proportion was mainly constituted by" bone in bone out meat". The other parts were the bowels commonly known as " matumbo" which constituted 21 percent of the animals' live weight .The price for meat and ix "matumbo" were controlled by the government.The price controls were therefore only effective on up to 61 percent of the total liveweight of goat~ . Regression results indicated that only liveweight attribute had significant influence on goat prices .It was therefore desired by buyers and could be used in grading scheme The contribution of other attributes like age and sex had no significant influence on prices of goat~ and were regarded as less suitable as part of any grading scheme that can be established for goats Weak linkages existed between markets The highest coefficient calculated was 0.65 which was close to 0.7 which i3 considered satisfactory(schmidt,1979).Price formation at various market levels were also not efficient .The margins were not indipendent from selling prices.This indicated that traders were setting prices which deviated significantly from perfect competitive conditions This is illustrated by regression result betwe~n price margin and selling price . The study recommended the establishment of pricing of goats based on liveweight as a mens of improving price ef,efficiency Formation of various institution like co-operatives and other specialised agencies to perform some market functions was suggested as part of measures designed to improve market performance