Description

Abstract: Data collected in the drought year of 2000 from four sites in southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya are used to examine how market access influences livestock marketing behavior of pastoral households. Two sites had high market-access while two had low market access. We hypothesized that market access would be important in helping herders reduce droughtinduced losses of stock. Across all sites livestock death rates were high due to drought. We confirmed that better market access was associated with higher rates of livestock sales and probably reduced losses. Better market access also gave opportunities to re-stock when ecological conditions improved. Market access is essential for improving pastoral welfare in our study region. Where market access is good marketing efficiency can be enhanced. Where market access is poor infrastructure investment should be a priority.