Improving access to livestock markets for sustainable rRangeland management

Arbeitspapier

Productivity of rangelands in Kenya is affected by increasing crop farming especially in more fertile range areas. Among the key factors driving the encroachment of crops on rangelands are the changing opportunities brought about by markets. We hypothesize that the existing market inefficiencies characterizing livestock markets, especially the price disincentives that livestock producers face, are major risks rangelands face. To analyze the effect of livestock market conditions on rangeland management, we draw on household survey and economic modeling tools. We find that traders' rent seeking behavior and high transport costs act as disincentives to livestock producers' participation in livestock markets and influence their decisions in seeking alternative rangeland uses to sustain livelihoods. However, improved livestock market access enhances livestock producers' livelihoods and the stewardship of the ecosystems thus reducing pastoralists' vulnerability to ecological climate variability associated with rangelands.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: ZEF Discussion Papers on Development Policy ; No. 215

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Agricultural Markets and Marketing; Cooperatives; Agribusiness ; Land Ownership and Tenure; Land Reform; Land Use; Irrigation; Agriculture and Environment ; Renewable Resources and Conservation: Land
• Subject: Extensive livestock production ; market access ; ecological-economic model ; positive mathematical programming (PMP) model ; Kenya

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Kihiu, Evelyne Nyathira ; Amuakwa-Mensah, Franklin
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): University of Bonn, Center for Development Research (ZEF)
• (where): Bonn
• (when): 2016

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/149600
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET