Analysis of Stratified Livestock Production as an Option for Enhancing Commercial Off-take of Pastoral Cattle in Kenya’s Drylands

Abstract

Livestock production in Kenya accounts for 10–15 % of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and about 42% of the agricultural GDP. The production mainly occurs in pastoral areas, where approximately 70% of the national large ruminant herd is reared, and predominantly inhabited by pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities. The pastoral areas of Kenya are characterized by high seasonal and inter-annual rainfall variability that influences pasture availability−during the dry season, the pasture is scarce and limited in nutrient concentrations. Consequently, animals become lean in the dry season and fall short of terminal markets’ quality requirements. On the other hand, pastoralists are under duress to sell many animals in the dry season, either to purchase cereals (given the reduced milk supply during such periods) or to avoid drought-related livestock mortalities. However, terminal markets’ quality requirements, constrain the effort by pastoralists to commercially off-take lean animals during the dry season. This situation contributes to the high and widespread drought-related livestock losses often reported in Kenya’s pastoral areas...............