Livestock Markets and Risk Management Among East African Pastoralists: A Review and Research Agenda

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the state of the livestock marketing channel in southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya, based mainly on secondary data, examines the relevant literature dealing with risk in livestock markets in sub-Saharan Africa, determines critical livestock marketing research needs in our study area of southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya and introduces a conceptual framework that we think can usefully guide further empirical research. We also examine methodologies that could be used to evaluate the market risks faced by pastoralists.