Cost of production, marketing and revenue generation from Somali camel breed in Isiolo and Marsabit counties of northern Kenya

Abstract

This study was carried out in Isiolo and Marsabit Counties of northern Kenya to understand the marketing and profitability potential of Somali camel reared for milk and beef. The study involved a survey where 91 and 120 randomly selected respondents were individually interviewed in Isiolo and Marsabit, respectively using a semi-structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed using the IBM SPSS where independent samples t-test was carried out on quantitative data while, descriptive statistics were carried for the qualitative data and test for significance done using chi-square.

Market price for camels ranged from KES. 12,500 for male calves under one year to KES. 97,143 for mature females and were within the range reported by other researchers. The prices were higher in Isiolo than Marsabit for mature males which sold for KES. 55,971±3,637 and KES. 39,682±3,333 (p=0.038) respectively, but not in other age categories. Majority of the respondents (90.6%, n=77) in Isiolo estimated market value of camels before taking to the market compared to 67.7% (n=65) in Marsabit, suggesting Isiolo pastoralists were keen to know the market value before taking camels to the market. The commonly used method for estimating market value of camels was ocular assessment of the body size in combination with market information. Isiolo pastoralists spent more money on inputs such as antibiotics, acaricides and, herding labor and also sold more milk than their Marsabit counterparts (p=0.049).

In terms of revenue generation, pastoralists were making KES. 10,292 and 4,888 every month in Isiolo and Marsabit, respectively from sale of live camels and the milk. The fast expanding commercial rearing of Somali camels in peri-urban Isiolo and Marsabit was profitable to pastoralists.

There however appeared to be a variance between actual market value of camels and the price offered to farmers in the market suggesting some degree of exploitation by middlemen although no data was collected from the middlemen to validate this opinion. Considering the KES. 10,000 pastoralists were getting in Isiolo was based on the traditional management of the camel, it means the potential profitability of commercial rearing of the camel is much higher and could be exploited through training on improved camel management technologies.