Learning Route on innovative livestock marketing

IFAD/PROCASUR Learning Route on Innovative Livestock Marketing to Kenya 27 February to 9 March 2012 A Photo StoryElaine Reinke, IFAD/NEN

Here were are – 22 “ruteros” from Sudan, Somaliland, Ethiopia,Madagascar, USA, Italy and Germany, supported by a wonderfulteam of PROCASUR staff and livestock experts. We barelylanded in Nairobi and were already on the road…

Getting ready for our firstencounter with the real experts… …but it didn’t take us long to escape from the classroom and get into the field.

After a warmwelcome by theMaasai MarketAccess CommitteesSiana and Kilitomein Amboseli…

…these livestock trading community groups living in preserved wildlife areas told us about their efficient partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation and theprivate sector company Agritrade. The Siana women group successfully ventured into a commercial sector traditionally dominated by men.

In the Kimana livestockmarket the group simulatedthe trade of a bull … and alsoshared some knowledge withKenyan youth.

Over a good cup of Kenyantea, we learned more about the challenges these two groups faced and overcame…

After we saw a role play of a typical committee meetingprepared by the Maasai groups, we handed over certificatesto the local champions … and had to say goodbye to thewonderful hosts of our first learning case.

Generating knowledge, ideas,experiences … last but notleast, connecting people.

As one can see, the Maasai didn’t release us yet. Ournext case brought us to the Kiserian terminal market … …where we experienced a well-integrated value chain of Maasai pastoralists and livestock traders over the Keekonyokie slaughterhouse to meat processors and traders.

The biogas plant of the Keekonyokie slaughterhouse turned out the mostcaptivating innovation for the “ruteros”.

All actors in the Kiserian market have one thing in common: They use the mobile phone based money transfer system M-PESA… (and now our route coordinator is one of them!)

Halftime (not half of the time) – some relaxation and fun… ….while preparing for…

…the long awaited camel case. Our hosts, the women of theAnolei Camel Milk Cooperative in Isiolo, welcomed us with a full meal of camel delights (tea and meat) at their local milk bar.

Some of us must have felt like aduck in the water when we visited Anolei camel producers… …and some 400 surprisingly friendly camels.

Supplementary feeding of “ruteros”… … when we witnessedthe milking process and learned the tips and tricks of camel husbandry.

The case revealed a captivatingsymbiosis of humans and animals……and some true love stories.

From camels to goats – our last learning case brought us to the Meru Goat Breeders Association… …facilitating the production of high quality dairy goats for the benefit of its morethan 4,200 farmer members.

Visiting producers, we learned a lot about goat feeding and milking, zero grazing, health care, breeding schemes…

…and how the cooperative is successfully processing and marketing goat milk and yoghurt.

After having travelled Amboseli, Kiserian, Isiolo and Meru, and visited five successful initiatives of innovative livestock marketing presented by local champions…

…we returned to Nairobi and on to Sudan, Somaliland, Ethiopia, Madagascar, USA, Italy and Germany…

…with a good number of elaborate innovation plans and awealth of new ideas, knowledge and experiences. That’s how innovations travel.

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Learning Route on innovative livestock marketing

by IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development on Mar 14, 2012

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