Description

Abstract: Native goats of Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan produce good quality cashmere that is recently being bought by international processors. Central Asian producers are not equipped to take full advantage of these new marketing opportunities. Lacking prior experience, Central Asian producers are unable to distinguish good from poor cashmere. International markets reward quality with higher prices. Producers and local traders lack global market information on demand and prices. Producers also lack skills in harvesting and sorting cashmere according to international quality standards, and sell individually to traders rather than pooling to gain higher prices. Consequently Central Asian producers receive much lower prices than Mongolians and Chinese. Strong international demand continues for cashmere. Central Asian countries could learn from Mongolia’s experience, where herders now gain their main income from cashmere sales. Enabling Central Asian farmers to realize the full value of their cashmere output requires development of missing elements in the marketing chain: Improved goat breeds and farmers’ breeding selection Updating national researchers and extension agents on international cashmere standards and assessment methods Develop farmers’ capacity to harvest cashmere and assess according to quality Increase market information flow and improve connections to international markets Support farmer marketing cooperatives