Analysis of Livestock Markets and Products for Pastoralists Depending on Natural Rangelands

Abstract

The study aimed to analyze pastoralists’ perception towards rangeland resources, livestock products and livestock marketing in the Butana area of Sudan. The study was conducted during the period from first of July to September 2011.A random sample of 407 pastoralists/ household was selected from Central Butana area and livestock watering points which are sites visited by pastoralists. Furthermore, 222 livestock traders were interviewed in the surveyed livestock markets. Interviews were also held with pastoralists and officials concerned with range management. Both descriptive statistics and econometric methods were used for data analysis. Logit model was employed to identify the socioeconomic and climatic factors that influence pastoralists’ perception on natural rangeland resources. Also Ordinary Least Square (OLS) was used to investigate the perception and awareness of pastoralists towards livestock marketing and products. Logit was used to analyze the structure, conduct and performance of livestock markets in the study area. The results indicated a negative relationship between dry season, herd size (number of heads), soil erosion, expansion of agriculture and improved rangeland. Positive and significant (P<0.001) relationship was found between open fire lines and improved rangeland condition. The study also found that reseeding could have positive influence on improved rangeland, but the coefficient was not statistically significant. The result revealed that purpose of livestock keeping, distance to livestock market, lack of market information and lack of decision on market participation had negative and significant effect on livestock marketing and products. 3 The study also showed that poor infrastructure, high transaction cost, prices and lack of access to credit had negative and significant influence on the structure, conduct and performance of livestock markets. The study recommended that rangeland should be improved by reseeding, opening of fire lines, water harvesting, maintenance of hafirs, and restriction of expansion of agriculture on the rangeland. Protection of rangeland needs to be backed by extension. Milk industry and marketing channels of milk should be improved by relevant government sectors and encouraging producers (high price) to sell their livestock at younger age. Development of infrastructure and other market services to improve structure, conduct and performance of livestock markets in the study area are also recommended. There is a need for an effective market information system to inform producers about current prices. Further research on identification of pastoralists’ perception towards rangeland resources, products and livestock markets need to be conducted.