Livestock Marketing in Ethiopia: Practices, Challenges and Opportunities

Background: The livestock sector in Ethiopia is the largest in Africa. Livestock production and marketing is a major livelihood in the pastoral areas of Ethiopia. The pastoralist community like Borana, livestock marketing development covers enormous scope for their socio economic development. Although few studies are available in the areas of livestock marketing, an in-depth analysis on the marketing practice, challenges and opportunities in livestock marketing is found to be scanty in Borana Zone. Therefore, the research was conducted to assess the livestock marketing practices, examining the factors/challenges affecting livestock marketing and to identifying challenges and opportunities in livestock marketing in Borana zone. Methods: The research was conducted by taking 112 sample traders from pastoralist area of Borana zone on simple random basis. Primary and secondary data were collected and used for analysis. Data collected through semi structured interview were analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics with the help of SPSS version 20. Moreover, data collected through focus group discussion and key informant interview were organized and analyzed qualitatively to supplement/substantiate with survey data. Besides, multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the factors affecting livestock marketing. Results: The existing market for livestock in the study area is unregulated. The major factors affecting livestock marketing are credit sale due to few cash buyers, poor access to credit, and poor linkage with high land and export markets, drought and weak institutional support since all these factors have positive significant influence statistically. On the other hand, highly demanded Borana breed of cattle, high livestock population, and increased number of livestock market centres, improved veterinary service and favourable government policy were identified as major opportunities for pastoralist traders’ efficiency and of Borana. On the basis of the findings, recommendations are forwarded.