Developing a functional market where women could sell their goats was a key component of the project strategy
Low reproductive rates, high mortality, poor condition and breeds of animals resulted in low market prices. Get to know of the strategies deployed that helped women sell their goats for a good price.
Goat markets were poorly developed. Transaction cost for all stakeholders were very high, resulting in low income/profits.
Poor dry season feeding limited the number of animals a household can offer for sale due to low reproductive rates and a high mortality rate.
Poor condition and breeds of animals resulted in low prices at informal markets.
Emphasis was on establishing functional markets and improving mortality rate as opposed to addressing productivity and improving breeds.
Work was undertaken along the value chain to provide both the incentive and the cash to make the investments to improve productivity.
Setting up an innovation platform involving all relevant stakeholders to address market challenges, establish the needs of market intermediaries to reduce transaction costs so that new market strategies benefit all involved – ensuring long-term sustainability.
Production challenges focused on dry season feed, animal housing and veterinary challenges.
Everyone worked towards complementary objectives so that the multi-stakeholder team could address their core business and together address the functioning of the larger system.
2014 results
Goat mortalities were reduced from >18% to <10% through the development of markets and better management of animals.
Profitability of goats increased with on-farm interventions by $1.50 per animal, while market interventions increased per animal profitability to more than $10.
Women invest income in family and use the cash to pay for education and human health related expenses and as a buffer against farming-related risk.