Impact of COVID-19 on Livestock Value Chain in
Kenya
Esther Omosa, Senior Nutrition Specialist
USAID-Accelerated Value Chain Development Program, Kenya
ICTforAg 2020 ‘Advancing Resilience, Nutrition, and Agriculture-led
Growth in a Digital World’ Global Online Conference, 18 November
2020

Using Data and Digital Technology to
Facilitate COVID Recovery in
Livestock Markets

Background
• 5-Year Feed the Future Program, in 21/47 counties in Kenya
• The livestock value chain, implemented by ILRI in 5 counties
• Arid and Semi arid lands of Northern Kenya
• Pastoralists (on the move- water and pasture)
• Poor communication and road network,
• Frequent shocks (drought, diseases, floods, locusts)
• Poor phone ownership, coverage and network/signal
USAID- Accelerated Value chain development (AVCD) program

The Study
A cross-sectional survey, May 29th and June16th 2020;
N=2,010 actors with 94% response rate
Quantitative data collection - phone-based survey
Qualitative Data collection
KII- emailing a structured questionnaire
To assess the effect of the pandemic on livelihoods and food systems of actors along
the livestock value chain
Approach
COVID-19 control measures:
 Closure of some livestock markets
 Less working time due to curfew
 Several check points /border closures

Findings
Effect on Food Access
Purchasing power of households reduced due to job loss, reduced income and increased
food prices

Findings
• Decline in Volumes of livestock sold
• Reduction in mean HH income,
• Reduction in prices of livestock
Disruption of Livestock markets
 Reduction in variety of food items consumed
 Reduction in quantity of foods consumed

How has the data helped us
recover?

How has resilience been fostered ?
Development of SOPs
County governments
increased investments
Enabled responses by various actors
Opening of livestock
markets SIL to protect assets
Nutrition sensitive
&Nutrition
Greater integration by
partners Food distribution
Radio messaging
Widened Coverage

Opportunities for data to further support livestock
markets
Data on pasture- where it has recharged and where it is
depleted
Livestock Disease outbreaks- for timely response
Livestock prices – more location disaggregation
E-livestock trading
Data on consumption and Nutritional status