Understanding your market: a descriptive analysis of Galla goats’ markets in Kajiado & Taita Taveta Counties

The importance of Galla goats value chain (GVC) in transforming rural livelihoods cannot be underscored. hus, GVC has been identified to hold future of livestock sector. The GVC has comparable advantages over other livestock, and highly regarded as livelihood strategy. However, evidence show otherwise due to market inefficiencies. The problem is exacerbated by demand-supply paradox of goats rendering smallholder farmers more susceptible to extortion. Thus, this survey was carried out to provide an understanding of Galla goats (GG) markets in Kajiado and Taita Taveta (TT) Counties. Study areas were chosen due to prevalence of GG farming; locations and households were selected through systematic and random sampling technique, respectively. Sample size was representative as it covered only GG producing areas in the two counties. Survey questionnaires were administered to 84 respondents and data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results show that GVC was male dominated (Kajiado – 88%, TT – 79%), with majority of farmers beyond youth age category (Kajiado – 39, TT – 49), and with lower education levels. Results also indicate that GG keeping as profitable (Kajiado – 86%, Taita Taveta – 90%), and mainly target open-air markets (Kajiado – 35%) and farm gate (TT – 35%), which are sparsely located (Kajiado – 17Km, TT – 21Km). Results further show that GVC actors had verse land (Kajiado - 67%, TT – 33%) but weakened by market disorganization (Kajiado – 50%, TT – 38%). However, value chain actors had opportunity for market linkage (Kajiado – 47%, TT – 38%) but did not possess requisite capacity (Kajiado – 48%, TT – 38%) to commercialize. This study, therefore recommends gender inclusivity and livestock market linkage. Findings further suggest for causality study to allow for specific interventions to be undertaken to achieve desired results. Besides, information generated by this study will positively contribute towards development of GVC strategies in Kenya.